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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). * Definition : inflammation of the lower part of the esophagus due to abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus Often chronic and relapsing.
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* Definition: inflammation of the lower part of the esophagus due to abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus • Often chronic and relapsing
GERD is due to weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) leading to reflux of the acidic gastric content to the lower part of the esophagus.
* Risk factors: - Obesity- Sliding Hiatal hernia- Pregnancy- Smoking- Delayed stomach emptying- Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma- Alcoholism.
* Clinical Manifestations: 1. Heartburn: retrosternal burning discomfort. 2. Regurgitation: effortless return of gastric contents into the pharynx without nausea, or abdominal contractions. To be differentiated from vomiting. 3. Dysphagia: difficulty in swallowing 4. Extra-esophageal manifestations: laryngitis, chronic cough
* Morphological features of GERD: * Grossly: the lower part of the esophagus is red, and may shows erosions.
* Microscopically: 1. Inflammatory cellular infiltrate in the squamous epithelium including neutrophils, esinophils and lymphocytes. 2. Basal cell hyperplasia. 3. Acute inflammation of the sub epithelium (lamina propria)
Esophagogastrodudenoscopy * Investigations: • Indications (with biopsy if needed): • In patients with alarm signs/symptoms • Those who fail a medication trial • Those who require long-term treatment.
* Complications of GERD: • Erosive esophagitis • Stricture of esophagus due to healing by fibrosis. • Barrett’s esophagus
Erosive esophagitis: • Responsible for 40-60% of GERD symptoms
Esophageal stricture • Result of healing of erosive esophagitis • May need dilatation
Barrett’s Esophagus: • Transformation of the stratified squamous epithelium of the lower end of the esophagus into intestinal epithelium (glandular metaplasia). • The clinical significance of Barrett’s Esophagus is that it is associated with the development of dysplasia and subsequently adenocarcinoma.
References: Robbins and Cotran’s: Pathologic Basis of Disease. Seventh edition.