Ulcer of the esophagus

Ulcer of the esophagus - ulceration of the mucosa of the esophagus. The disease was first described by Quincke in 1879, is more common in men than in women. Ulcers are localized mainly in the lower third of the esophagus.

Etiology and pathogenesis

There are true (peptic) and symptomatic ulcers of the esophagus.

The true ulcers of the esophagus are peptic ulcers that occur in persons suffering from hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm, cardia deficiency and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Causes of oesophageal ulcers

Clinical picture

1. Chest pain is the most important symptom of an esophageal ulcer. Usually occurs when eating. When the ulcer is located directly in the cardia or subcardia, the pain is felt high in the epigastrium or in the region of the xiphoid process.
2. Dysphagia - a feeling of difficulty in passing food through the esophagus, is caused by inflammatory edema of the mucosa of the esophagus and its dyskinesia. In some cases, dysphagia is due to the development of ulcerative stenosis of the esophagus; In this case, regurgitation with esophageal contents joins.

Symptoms of an esophagus ulcer

Instrumental data

Esophagoscopy

VM Nechaev (1997) describes three forms of esophageal ulcers.

1. Focal ulcer - a small ulceration (0.3-1 cm in diameter) with clear, even, not rising edges. Peristalsis is preserved, the stiffness of the walls is absent.
2. Deep ulcer - larger (diameter 0.5-3 cm) with clear, even edges that rise above the surrounding tissue, peristalsis preserved.
3. Plainin-filtering ulcer - in the form of a flat infiltrate with a diameter of 0.3-3 cm with clear boundaries, hyperemic edges, covered with fibrin.

Diagnosis of esophageal ulcers