| oesophageal narrowing | <radiology> Oesophageal web, Schatzki ring, carcinoma (oesophagus, stomach, metastases, invasion by adjacent tumour), lymphoma, oesophagitis, scleroderma, postsurgical stricture, stricture post NG tube see: oesophageal stricture (12 Dec 1998) |
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| oesophageal opening | The opening in the right crus of the diaphragm, between the central tendon and the hiatus aorticus, through which pass the oesophagus and the two vagus nerves. Synonym: hiatus oesophageus, oesophageal opening. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal perforation | <radiology> Usually in neonates, upper oesophagus frequently affected, then NG tube dissects posteriorly, relatively benign in neonates CXR findings: pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, abnormal distance between NG tube and trachea on lateral view, NG tube does not terminate in stomach, thin irregular tract (with contrast) vs. Large regular tract (tracheo-oesophageal fistula), pleural effusion, patchy infiltrates see: oesophageal trauma (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal plexus | One of two nervous plexus's, posterior and anterior on the walls of the oesophagus; the first is formed by branches from the right vagus and left recurrent, the second by the anastomosing trunks of the vagus after leaving the pulmonary plexus's; branches supply the mucous and muscular coats of the oesophagus. Synonym: plexus oesophageus, plexus gulae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal ring | A congenital anatomic narrowing in the lower 1/3 of the oesophagus that is the result of inappropriate embryological development of the oesophagus. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and chest pain (under the sternum). Treatment involves the use of a fibreoptic endoscope using a dilator to open up the narrowed segment of the oesophagus. (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal rupture | Named after Captain Boerhaave, a Dutch ship captain, who was the first patient this condition was described in. Traumatic rupture of the lower oesophagus can occur with significant blunt chest trauma, during CPR or in some conditions of forceful protracted vomiting. This condition is much more common in the patient with a pre-existing oesophageal disease such as reflux oesophagitis. The chest X-ray will typically show an abnormal left cardiac border with free fluid within the left hemithorax (pleural effusion). Patients will experience immediate chest pain, which may radiate to the neck, accompanied by shock, sepsis and death within 48 hours if untreated. (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal smear | A group of cytologic specimens containing material from the mouth (oral smear), oesophagus and stomach (gastric smear), duodenum (paraduodenal smear), and colon, obtained by specialised lavage techniques; used principally for the diagnosis of cancer of those areas. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal spasm | A disorder of the motility of the oesophagus characterised by pain or forceful eructations after swallowing food. Oesophageal muscle contractions are of excessive force and duration. Chest pain can be confused with symptoms of cardiac or other origin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| oesophageal spasm, diffuse | A motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by chest pain and dysphagia. Pathogenesis is unclear. Strong, nonpropulsive contractions of the oesophagus evoked by deglutition occur, especially in the elderly. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal spasms | A disorder characterised by episodic contractions of the oesophagus. The oesophageal spasms fail to effectively propel food to the stomach. Symptoms may be confused with angina. Common symptoms include chest pains, epigastric pain, heartburn, pain on swallowing and difficulty swallowing. Treatment includes the use of sublingual nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers. (27 Sep 1997) |
| oesophageal speech | Speech produced with air trapped in the oesophagus and forced out again. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal stenosis | Stricture of the oesophagus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal stricture, acute | A narrowing or closure of the normal opening of the swallowing tube leading to the stomach, usually caused by scarring from acid irritation. Acute, complete obstruction of the oesophagus occurs when food (usually meat) is lodged in the oesophageal stricture. Patients experience chest pain, and are unable to swallow saliva. Attempts to relieve the obstruction by inducing vomiting at home are usually unsuccessful. Patients with complete oesophageal obstruction can breathe, and are not at any risk of suffocation. Endoscopy is usually employed to retrieve the meat and relieve the obstruction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal stricture, chronic | A longstanding narrowing or closure of the normal opening of the swallowing tube leading to the stomach, usually caused by scarring by acid irritation. Narrowing of the oesophagus. A common complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Severa procedures are available for stretching (dilating) the strictures without having to resort to surgery. One of the procedures involves placing a deflated balloon across the stricture at the time of endoscopy. The balloon is then inflated, thereby opening the narrowingcaused by the stricture. Another method involves inserting tapered dilators of different sizes through the mouth into the oesophagus to dilate the stricture. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oesophageal strictures | <radiology> Lye (NaOH, Drano), acids, drugs, tetracycline, doxycycline (Vibramycin), quinidine, potassium (KCl), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), iron tablets (FeSO4), cromolyn sulfate (inhalant), Clinitest tablets (for urine testing of diabetics), epidermolysis bullosa (in kiddies!!), increased risk of oesophageal carcinoma (12 Dec 1998) |