WBR1104

Author	[[PageAuthor::William J Gibson (Reviewed by Yazan Daaboul, M.D.)]]
Exam Type	ExamType::USMLE Step 1
Main Category	MainCategory::Anatomy, MainCategory::Pathophysiology
Sub Category	SubCategory::Gastrointestinal, SubCategory::Pulmonology
Prompt	[[Prompt::A 65-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician with complaints of early satiety and post-prandial abdominal distention and nausea. Abdominal exam is negative for hepatosplenomegaly and other occult masses. The physician suspects gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and the patient is prescribed omeprazole. Two weeks later, the patient returns to the hospital reporting no relief of symptoms. A barium swallow imaging study is shown below. At which of the following vertebral levels does the disturbed structure normally pass through the diaphragm?]]
Answer A	AnswerA::T4
Answer A Explanation	AnswerAExp::T4 lies at the level of the nipple. A hiatal hernia occurs lower in the body.
Answer B	AnswerB::T6
Answer B Explanation	AnswerBExp::T6 lies at the level of the xiphoid process.
Answer C	AnswerC::T8
Answer C Explanation	AnswerCExp::The inferior vena cava passes through the diaphragm at the level of the T8 vertebrae.
Answer D	AnswerD::T10
Answer D Explanation	AnswerDExp::The esophagus normally passes through the diaphragm at the level of the T10 vertebrae.
Answer E	AnswerE::T12
Answer E Explanation	AnswerEExp::The aorta passes through the diaphragm at the level of the T12 vertebrae.
Right Answer	RightAnswer::D
Explanation	[[Explanation::The patient in this vignette has developed a hiatal hernia, in which a portion of the stomach has passed through the diaphragm and into the thorax. In the barium swallow study, a portion of the stomach (highlighted by barium) can be seen superior to a stricture that forms the esophageal hiatus in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia has often been called the "great mimic" because its symptoms can resemble many disorders. Individuals with hiatal henias may experience dull pains in the chest, shortness of breath (caused by the hernia's effect on the diaphragm), heart palpitations (due to irritation of the vagus nerve), and swallowed food "balling up" and causing discomfort in lower esophagus until it passes onto the stomach. The post-prandial abdominal pain this woman experiences is due to improper trafficking of food through the digestive system and acid reflux. In the majority of cases however, a hiatal hernia does not cause any symptoms. The pain and discomfort that a patient experiences may be either due to reflux of gastric acid, air, or bile. While there are several causes of acid reflux, it commonly occurs more frequently in the presence of hiatal hernia. There are two major subtypes of hiatal hernias: • Sliding hiatal hernia: The most common (95%) subtype, where the gastroesophageal junction moves above the diaphragm together with some of the stomach (Pictured in C below). • Paraesophageal (rolling) hiatal hernia: Part of the stomach herniates through the esophageal hiatus and lies beside the esophagus, without movement of the gastroesophageal junction. It accounts for the remaining 5% of hiatal hernias (Pictured in D below). Educational Objective: The esophagus passes through the diaphragm at the level of T10. References: First Aid 2015 page 352, 601. ]]
Approved	Approved::Yes
Keyword	WBRKeyword::Diaphragm, WBRKeyword::Thorax, WBRKeyword::Hernia, WBRKeyword::Hiatal hernia, WBRKeyword::Barium, WBRKeyword::Upper GI, WBRKeyword::Swallow, WBRKeyword::Swallowing, WBRKeyword::Radiology, WBRKeyword::Chest X ray, WBRKeyword::Stomach, WBRKeyword::Esophagus
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