Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the fastest growing solid malignancy in the United States. Pathophysiology Barrett metaplasia is the precursor lesion to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Clinical feature…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Pleural tumors are a small but significant subset of thoracic malignancies. The majority of pleural tumors tend to be malignant and mesothelioma is the…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Iatrogenic instrumentation (e.g., endoscopy, dilatation, tube passage, etc.) has replaced spontaneous rupture as the leading cause of esophageal perforation and accounts for 60 to…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA–TEF) occurs in 1 in 3400. Esophageal duplication cysts represent 10 to 15 percent of foregut duplication cysts and…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most frequently encountered problems seen in clinical practice today. It is estimated that 60 million adults…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Thymic tumors are the most common primary neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum, accounting for about 20 percent of anterior mediastinal masses. Their peak incidence…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Diffuse benign pulmonary disorders cover a broad range of primary lung diseases and can be associated with systemic disorders. Pathophysiology Most benign pulmonary disorders…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Physiology The basic function of the esophagus is to propagate a bolus from the oropharynx to the stomach. The coordination of esophageal muscle contractions, vagal…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen The pleura are anatomically and physiologically distinct structures. The pleural cavities are formed early during embryonic development from the intraembryonic coelom. Anatomically, the pleura are…
Key Concepts Print Section Listen Epidemiology Twenty percent of all trauma patients sustain chest injuries. Pathophysiology Thoracic injuries, like with all traumas, can result from blunt or penetrating mechanism. Fractures…
