Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0011168 (dysphagia)
 15,644 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The results of fibreoptic endoscopy have been assessed retrospectively in 71 patients referred for consideration of the oesophagus as the possible or probable cause of their symptoms. Gross endoscopic abnormality was uncommon but friability of the mucosa was seen in about half of the patients with typical symptoms of "reflux-pain" and a quarter of those without. The combination of radiological reflux and endoscopic abnormality--that is, true reflux oesophagitis--was seen in only a third of the patients with typical symptoms though much less commonly in those with atypical symptoms. Histological abnormality was common but did not relate well to symptom pattern. The results of the acid perfusion test were significantly related to symptom pattern though overlap was observed between the two symptomatic groups. Six of these patients had had or were awaiting surgery to correct reflux and they all had uniformly positive findings. This study confirms the value of the acid perfusion test in clarifying the diagnosis of reflux pain, espcially if the symptoms are difficult to assess. Endoscopy and biopsy added little further information of diagnostic value and could probably be reserved for the small minority of patients who have special problems such as blood loss or dysphagia or where clarification of a radiological lesion is required.
 ...
PMID:Oesophagoscopy, biopsy, and acid perfusion test in diagnosis of "reflux oesophagitis". 110 62

Our diagnostic approach to a patient with dysphagia begins with detailed history taking and physical examination. On the basis of findings, a radiographic and/or endoscopic study of the esophagus is done. We usually have barium-swallow radiography done initially, and if the radiographs are equivocal, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed. Manometric studies are reserved for patients with suspected motility disorders.
 ...
PMID:Dysphagia. A practical approach to diagnosis. 143 10

From 1980 to 1990, 31 patients were treated surgically in our department for esophageal diverticula: 12 Zenker's diverticula (ZD); 11 mid-thoracic diverticula (MTD); 8 epiphrenic diverticula (ED). Cricopharyngeal dysfunction was detectable in 8 of 12 ZD patients (66.6%). Cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in all cases. There were no deaths. Relief of dysphagia was obtained in all cases. No recurrences of dysphagia or diverticulum were observed at a mean follow-up of 3 years. A motility disorder was observed in 10 of 11 MTD (90.9%). An extended esophageal myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in 3 cases, an extended myotomy alone in 3 cases, a diverticulectomy alone in 5 cases; an anti-reflux procedure was added in 6 cases. One patient died on the 7th postoperative day. All remaining patients were free of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 3.2 years. A motor dysfunction was detected in all 8 ED patients (100%). No diverticulectomy was performed. Six patients underwent Heller-Dor myotomy and 2 underwent Nissen fundoplication. There were no deaths. Relief of symptoms was obtained in all patients, at a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. Myotomy with diverticulectomy represents the treatment of choice in ZD. As regards MTD and ED, the treatment of the underlying motor disorder is the main therapeutic goal, whereas diverticulectomy is reserved to selected patients.
 ...
PMID:Esophageal diverticula. Physiopathological basis for surgical management. 161 29

Primary noncarcinomatous malignant neoplasms of the esophagus are uncommon and data concerning treatment and results are sparse. To evaluate the results of therapy in this group, we reviewed the records of 32 patients with primary esophageal malignant tumors of unusual histologic type. Thirteen patients (41%) had sarcoma, eight (25%) melanoma, and 11 (34%) had oat cell carcinoma. Dysphagia was present in 78% (25/32) of the patients for a median of 13 weeks before diagnosis. Location of the esophageal primary tumor was upper third in four patients (12%), middle third in 12 (38%), and lower third in 16 (50%). Treatment consisted of esophagectomy in 10 of 13 patients with sarcoma (77%), seven of eight with melanoma (88%), and three of 11 with oat cell carcinoma (27%). Patients not undergoing resection received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or both. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 46% and 23% for sarcoma (median 20 months), 13% and 0% for melanoma (median 5 months), and 0% and 0% for oat cell carcinoma (median 5 months), respectively. Distant disease was the initial form of recurrence in 73% (11/15) of patients undergoing curative therapy. Surgical resection appears indicated for localized primary esophageal sarcoma. Optimum treatment of primary esophageal melanoma is less clear, but surgical resection may be of benefit in selected patients. Esophageal oat cell carcinoma is a systemic disease necessitating systemic therapy with local therapy reserved for palliation of dysphagia.
 ...
PMID:Unusual malignant neoplasms of the esophagus. Oat cell carcinoma, melanoma, and sarcoma. 170 94

The long-term results after Heller's myotomy for oesophageal achalasia were illustrated by questionnaire sent to 38 out of the original 47 patients submitted to operation during the ten-year period 1.7.1973-30.6.1983. Nine patients had died from other causes during the follow-op period. The minimum period of observation for the remaining patients was five years and the mean period of observation was 10.3 years. Thirty-six questionnaires were returned (95%). 75% of the patients were satisfied with the results of operation but only 25% were symptom-free. The commonest symptom was dysphagia (56%) followed by reflux problems (50%). Every third patient had discomfort from the scar. All of the 25% of the patients who were not satisfied with the result of operation had dysphagia. On the basis of these observations, the authors consider that Heller's myotomy should be reserved for patients on whom dilatation treatment has proved unsatisfactory.
 ...
PMID:[Treatment of esophageal achalasia using Heller's method]. 230 50

We review the incidence, etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations and treatment of lower esophageal or Schatzki's rings. In patients with dysphagia caused by this ring, medical and dietetic treatment is the first step, and dilatation should be reserved for cases of failure of this treatment. Surgery is rarely needed, being indicated only in cases of recurrence or failure of dilatation treatment. In these cases, complete excision of the ring and end-to-end anastomosis of the gastric and esophageal mucosa through a gastrostomy is recommended before antireflux surgery is considered.
 ...
PMID:[Schatzki's ring]. 268 40

Odynophagia and dysphagia are common symptoms of treatable disorders of the esophagus in patients with AIDS. Esophageal candidiasis is the most frequent cause of these symptoms. In patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex, thrush in combination with odynophagia or dysphagia almost certainly indicates the presence of esophageal candidiasis. Other causes of swallowing disorders in AIDS include opportunistic infection of the esophagus with herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, or, rarely, cryptosporidiosis. Recently, ulcerative esophagitis in AIDS associated with unidentified viral-like particles has been described. Infrequently, Kaposi's sarcoma or lymphoma may involve the posterior pharynx or esophagus, respectively. Because Candida esophagitis is so frequently the cause of odynophagia and/or dysphagia in AIDS, it is suggested that in most cases, a therapeutic trial with an antifungal agent, like ketoconazole, may be appropriate before radiologic or endoscopic examination. Further investigation can be reserved for patients who do not respond to this trial or who have clinical evidence suggesting another esophageal disorder. Herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus esophagitis can be treated with antiviral agents, such as acyclovir and ganciclovir, respectively. Maintenance therapy with antifungal agents to prevent recurrent esophageal candidiasis may be beneficial, but the efficacy and cost effectiveness of this approach remain to be determined. Because of the increasing numbers of patients with AIDS, frequency of esophageal disorders, such as candidiasis, in these patients and the morbidity of these disorders, an expansion of clinical research efforts to determine effective treatment and prophylaxis for these disorders is warranted.
 ...
PMID:Odynophagia/dysphagia in AIDS. 304 65

Scleromyxedema is a rare fibromucinous connective tissue disorder characterized by papular skin lesions associated with sclerosis and a serum monoclonal gammopathy. Little is known about either the natural history or the systemic manifestations of this disease. We reviewed the medical records of 19 patients with biopsy-proven scleromyxedema seen from 1950 to 1985 for evidence of systemic disease. There were 10 males and 9 females with a median age at diagnosis of 53 years. Monoclonal gammopathy was present in 13 patients. Eight patients complained of dysphagia; 3 had proximal esophageal dysfunction and 1 had total esophageal aperistalsis on barium swallow. Proximal muscle weakness was noted in 5, with an inflammatory myopathy in 3. Six patients complained of dyspnea on exertion. Of these, 5 had reduced diffusing capacity, 3 had reduced volumes, and 2 developed cor pulmonale. Pathologic changes characteristic of "scleroderma kidney" were demonstrated in 1 patient at postmortem. One patient had Raynaud's phenomenon and 2 had arthralgias/arthritis with noninflammatory synovial fluids. Although 8 of 12 patients treated with melphalan noted regression of their skin changes, no consistent improvement in the extracutaneous manifestations was demonstrated. Furthermore, 2 patients died of sepsis related to melphalan-induced myelosuppression, and 4 developed hematological malignancies following melphalan therapy. In conclusion, systemic manifestations in scleromyxedema are more prevalent than previously recognized, and can resemble those of scleroderma. Significant toxicity occurred with the use of alkylating agents in these patients, with treatment-related complications developing in 45% of patients treated with melphalan. The lack of definitive data regarding the natural history of this disease complicates the question of optimal therapy, but the use of alkylating agents should be reserved for those patients with severe debilitating skin disease.
 ...
PMID:Scleromyxedema: a scleroderma-like disorder with systemic manifestations. 333 81

Migraine headaches that occur in the 15- to 30-year-old age group are well documented. In patients in the stroke age bracket, however, who present with a history of neurologic deficit, transient ischemic attacks can be confused with migraine accompaniments. The typical patient is 50 years old, is without a past history of migraines, and complains of scintillating visual disturbances (20 percent), marching paresthesis (22 percent), or a myriad of neurologic deficits. In one series of 70 neurology patients aged over 55 years, 16 percent reported that they experience the new onset of scintillations. Once fully evaluated, the cause of unexplained marching paresthesias, dysphagia, or hemiplegia, once reserved for thrombotic or embolic phenomena, may be attributed to migraine accompaniments. In the face of a normal evaluation, neurologic deficit in the stroke age bracket may be attributed to migraine accompaniments. A case of a 47-year-old woman with sudden onset of left-sided paresthesia, dysarthria, and confusion is presented. The discussion includes a description of migraine pathophysiology and a review of concepts regarding accompaniments.
 ...
PMID:Late-life migraine accompaniments: a case presentation and literature review. 358 61

Eighteen patients were evaluated for primary symptoms of cervical dysphagia and/or laryngeal aspiration and subsequently had a cricopharyngeal myotomy. Twelve patients had a neurologic lesion as the cause of the symptoms. Four patients had a Zenker's diverticulum as demonstrated by barium contrast roentgenograms. Two patients complained of persistent suprasternal dysphagia following one or more antireflux repairs for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal manometry identified a pharyngoesophageal motor disorder in all but four patients, two of the four with Zenker's diverticulum and the two who had an antireflux procedure. The results show that cricopharyngeal myotomy should be reserved for patients with an identifiable motor disorder confined to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, ie, failure of the pharyngeal pump or cricopharyngeal incoordination and/or incomplete relaxation. Exceptions to this rule are as follows: Zenker's diverticulum, in which an abnormality may not always be detected but of which the results of surgery demonstrate the effectiveness of this procedure; and pharyngoesophageal complaints associated with reflux, most of which resolve with the restoration of distal esophageal sphincter competence. In those few patients in whom these conditions persist, a cricopharyngeal myotomy may be beneficial. Caution should be used in applying the procedure to individuals who have had multiple antireflux repairs.
 ...
PMID:Pharyngoesophageal dysfunctions. The role of cricopharyngeal myotomy. 392 Oct 4


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next >>