tommyk
04-09-2006, 02:58 AM
Hy 2110
Ok, this is an open ended, but important question cause it comes up in clinics every day. What do you know about Scleroderma?:confused: Think think!
a-Scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis) is an important disease in which a variety of body tissues can undergo fibrosis. The most obvious of these is the skin, which produces the tight thick skin seen on this patient's hands and face. Internally, the esophagus is particularly susceptible to this fibrotic process, which will destroy the ability of the esophagus to undergo peristalsis, because of both the loss of muscle and the stiffening by fibrosis.
Typical manometric findings in these patients are diminished or absent peristalsis in the body of the esophagus with a greatly reduced resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Scleroderma patients are at significant risk for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. You will see this in clinics daily.
Ok, this is an open ended, but important question cause it comes up in clinics every day. What do you know about Scleroderma?:confused: Think think!
a-Scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis) is an important disease in which a variety of body tissues can undergo fibrosis. The most obvious of these is the skin, which produces the tight thick skin seen on this patient's hands and face. Internally, the esophagus is particularly susceptible to this fibrotic process, which will destroy the ability of the esophagus to undergo peristalsis, because of both the loss of muscle and the stiffening by fibrosis.
Typical manometric findings in these patients are diminished or absent peristalsis in the body of the esophagus with a greatly reduced resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Scleroderma patients are at significant risk for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications. You will see this in clinics daily.