Master the Boards USMLE Step 2CK - Gastroenterology 2024/2025

Master the Boards USMLE Step 2CK - Gastroenterology Essential feature of the majority of esophageal disorders - Dysphagia Difficulty swallowing - Dysphagia Proper term for pain while swallowing - Odynophagia Both dysphagia & odynophagia can lead to? - Weight loss When severe, some forms of esophageal disorder will also give rise to what? - - Anemia - Heme+ stool What should be done when gastrointestinal alarm symptoms are present? - Endoscopy Alarm symptoms indicating endoscopy - - Weight loss - Blood in stool - Anemia Inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax (aperistalsis of the esophageal body) due to a loss of the nerve plexus within the lower esophagus - Achalasia Etiology of achalasia - Not clear Presentation of achalasia - - Young patient < 50 y/o - Progressive dysphagia to both solids & liquids at the same time - No association w/ alcohol & tobacco use Findings on barium esophagram associated w/ achalasia - "Bird's beak" as the esophagus comes down to a point Most accurate diagnostic test used to diagnose achalasia - Manometry Findings on manometry associated w/ achalasia - Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax CXR findings associated w/ achalasia - Abnormal widening of the esophagus How useful is a CXR in the diagnosis of achalasia? - Not very useful as it is neither very sensitive nor very sp