esophageal ulcer

esophageal

of or pertaining to the esophagus.

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esophageal achalasia

see megaesophagus.

esophageal anomalies

very rare; include atresia, duplication, segmental aplasia, esophagorespiratory fistulae, diverticula, epithelial inclusion cysts.

esophageal atresia

congenital lack of continuity of the esophagus, commonly accompanied by tracheoesophageal fistula, and characterized by accumulations of mucus in the nasopharynx, gagging, vomiting when fed, cyanosis and dyspnea. Treatment is by surgical repair by esophageal anastomosis and division of the fistula.

esophageal distention

may result from acute or chronic obstruction of the esophagus, or from defective innervation. See also megaesophagus.

esophageal duplication

may be tubular and communicate with the effective esophagus, or cystic appearing as a cystic mass close to the functioning esophagus.

esophageal ectasia

see megaesophagus.

esophageal enlargement

clinically visible enlargement as seen in esophageal diverticulum, stenosis, paralysis, cardial obstruction.

esophageal fibrosis

a cause of acquired megaesophagus; usually caused by trauma or spontaneous ulceration.

esophageal groove

see reticular groove.

esophageal groove lesion

includes granuloma, papilloma, foreign body lodgment; cause of obstructive bloat.

esophageal hyperkeratosis

hyperkeratotic thickening of the esophageal mucosa due usually to hypovitaminosis A or chlorinated naphthalene poisoning.

esophageal inflammation

see esophagitis.

esophageal motility disorders

see megaesophagus.

esophageal neoplasm

very rare except for papilloma and fibropapilloma; causes chronic esophageal obstruction.

esophageal obstruction

acute obstruction is manifested by inability to swallow, regurgitation of saliva, food and water through the nose and much discomfort expressed by retching movements and pawing at the throat. Ruminants develop ruminal tympany. Chronic obstruction shows the same syndrome but with a gradual development and a tendency to develop aspiration pneumonia.

Palpating an esophageal obstruction in a cow. By permission from Blowey RW, Weaver AD, Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, Mosby, 1997

esophageal osteosarcoma

occurs in dogs in association with the parasite Spirocerca lupi.

esophageal papilloma

a cause of obstructive bloat.

esophageal paralysis

causes esophageal obstruction.

esophageal patching

see patch graft.

esophageal perforation

causes local cellulitis and compression-obstruction of esophagus.

esophageal pulsion diverticulum

a diverticulum that pushes outwards causing pressure on surrounding organs and tissues.

esophageal segmental aplasia

causes esophageal obstruction in neonates.

esophageal stenosis, esophageal stricture

causes esophageal obstruction; may be partial, permitting passage of liquids.

esophageal tube

see nasogastric tube.

esophageal ulcer

usually associated with pressure necrosis due to prolonged obstruction and injury by a solid foreign body or, rarely equine dysautonomia or Gasterophilus spp. infestation.

esophageal varices

distended veins at the gastric cardia causing dysphagia.

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esophageal ulcer

GI disease A hole in the esophageal mucosa, which may be due to acid reflux from the stomach, H pylori infection, NSAIDs, cigarette smoking Clinical Pain may not correlate with severity of ulceration Diagnosis Barium swallow, endoscopy Complications Bleeding, perforation Treatment Antibiotics to eradicate H pylori, eliminating risk factors. See Caustic injury to esophagus, GERD.