Regression of Barrett＇s Esophagus： Is There a Difference between Clinical and Surgical Treatment？

Objective： To evaluate the response to clinical and surgical treatment of Walter Cantidio University Hospital patients who were diagnosed with Barrett＇s esophagus between 2012 and 2016. Methodology： From the database analysis of Walter Cantidio University Hospital＇s pathology service, we identified all patients with a diagnosis of Barrett＇s esophagus between 2012 and 2016. We analyzed the patients＇ medical records and collected epidemiological and clinical data. Results： 22 patients were included in the study, 13 of whom were surgically treated and 9 were clinically treated. The regression was 33.3% in the clinical group and 30.7% in the surgical group, with no statistical difference between these two groups. Conclusions： The results show synchrony with data from the medical literature regarding the response of Barrett＇s esophagus to clinical and surgical treatment.

Optical molecular imaging for detection of Barrett's-associated neoplasia

Recent advancements in the endoscopic imaging of Barrett's esophagus can be used to probe a wide range of optical properties that are altered with neoplastic progression.This review summarizes relevant changes in optical properties as well as imaging approaches that measures those changes.Wide-field imaging approaches include narrow-band imaging that measures changes in light scattering and absorption,and autofluorescence imaging that measure changes in endogenous fluorophores.High-resolution imaging approaches include optical coherence tomography,endocytoscopy,confocal microendoscopy,and high-resolution microendoscopy.These technologies,some coupled with an appropriate contrast agent,can measure differences in glandular morphology,nuclear morphology,or vascular alterations associated with neoplasia.Advances in targeted contrast agents are further discussed.Studies that have explored these technologies are highlighted;as are the advantages and limitations of each.

Prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in patients with moderate to severe erosive esophagitis

AIM: To investigate the proportion of patients with moderate-severe erosive esophagitis (EE) who will have Barrett's esophagus (BE) after healing of inflammation. METHODS: Patients with EE of Los Angeles (LA) class B, C and D who underwent follow-up endoscopy documenting complete mucosal healing. RESULTS: A total of 86/169 patients were suspected of having BE (38 before healing and 48 after healing of EE) and, 46/86 eventually had the histological confirmation. At index esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD), BE was suspected in 38/169 (22%), and ultimately, histologically confirmed in 20 of these. In 11 patients where biopsies were performed in the presence of inflammation, BE was detected in 2 and missed in 5 (including 2 dysplasias). In 131/169 patients (77.5%), BE was not suspected at index EGD. After healing of EE though, 48 patients had suspicion of BE who underwent biopsies, and in 26 of these histology was positive for BE. The length of inflammation had a linear correlation with the length of BE (P = 0.01). Out of multiple variables to predict BE, only the suspicion at index endoscopy was statistically significant (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: BE was seen in 46/169 (27%) patients with EE of LA class B, C and D. The length of EE can predict the length of underlying BE segment.Even when suspected, BE and associated dysplasia can be missed in the presence of inflammation; therefore, repeat evaluation should be considered after complete healing of esophagitis.

Role of gastrin-peptides in Barrett's and colorectal carcinogenesis

Gastrin is the main hormone responsible for the stimulation of gastric acid secretion;in addition,gastrin and its derivatives exert proliferative and antiapoptotic effects on several cell types.Gastrin synthesis and secretion are increased in certain situations,for example,when proton pump inhibitors are used.The impact of sustained hypergastrinemia is currently being investigated.In vitro experiments and animal models have shown that prolonged hypergastrinemia may be related with higher cancer rates;although,this relationship is less clear in human beings.Higher gastrin levels have been shown to cause hyperplasia of several cell types;yet,the risk for developing cancer seems to be the same in normo-and hypergastrinemic patients.Some tumors also produce their own gastrin,which can act in an autocrine manner promoting tumor growth.Certain cancers are extremely dependent on gastrin to proliferate.Initial research focused only on the effects of amidated gastrins,but there has been an interest in intermediates of gastrin in the last few decades.These intermediates aren't biologically inactive;in fact,they may exert greater effects on proliferation and apoptosis than the completely processed forms.In certain gastrin overproduction states,they are the most abundant gastrin peptides secreted.The purpose of this review is to examine the gastrin biosynthesis process and to summarize the results from different studies evaluating the production,levels,and effects of the main forms of gastrin in different overexpression states and their possible relationship with Barrett's and colorectal carcinogenesis.

Cyclooxygenase-2 and epithelial growth factor receptor up-regulation during progression of Barrett's esophagus to adenocarcinoma

AIM： To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） and epithelial growth factor receptor （EGFR） throughout the progression of Barrett＇s esophagus （BE）. METHODS： COX-2 and EGFR protein expressions were detected by using immunohistochemical method. A detailed cytomorphological changes were determined. Areas of COX-2 and EGFR expression were quantified by using computer Imaging System. RESULTS： The expressions of both COX-2 and EGFR increased along with the progression from BE to esophagus adenocarcinoma （EAC）. A positive correlation was found between COX-2 expression and EGFR expression. CONCLUSION： COX-2 and EGFR may be cooperative in the stepwise progression from BE to EAC, thereby leading to carcinogenesis.

Risk factors for Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma:Results from the FINBAR study

AIM:To investigate risk factors associated with Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.METHODS:This all-Ireland population-based case-control study recruited 224 Barrett's oesophagus patients,227 oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients and 260 controls.All participants underwent a structured interview with information obtained about potential lifestyle and environmental risk factors.RESULTS:Gastro-oesophageal reflux was associated with Barrett's [OR 12.0(95% CI 7.64-18.7)] and oesophageal adenocarcinoma [OR 3.48(95% CI 2.25-5.41)].Oesophageal adenocarcinoma patients were more likely than controls to be ex-or current smokers [OR 1.72(95% CI 1.06-2.81)and OR 4.84(95% CI 2.72-8.61)respectively] and to have a high body mass index [OR 2.69(95% CI 1.62-4.46)].No significant associations were observed between these risk factors and Barrett's oesophagus.Fruit but not vegetables were negatively associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma [OR 0.50(95% CI 0.30-0.86)].CONCLUSION:A high body mass index,a diet low in fruit and cigarette smoking may be involved in the progression from Barrett's oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Low circulating levels of gastrin-17 in patients with Barrett's esophagus

AIM: To examine whether the fasting levels of serum gastrin-17 (G-17) are lower in Barrett's esophagus (BE)patients than in non-Barrett controls.METHODS: Nineteen patients with BE (presenting with a tubular segment ≥2 cm long in lower esophagus and intestinal metaplasia of incomplete type ('specialized columnar epithelium') in endoscopic biopsies from the tubular segment below the squamocolumnar junction were collected prospectively from outpatients referred to diagnostic gastroscopy. The controls comprised 199 prospectively collected dyspeptic outpatients without BE or any endoscopically visible lesions in the upper GI tract.Fasting levels of serum G-17 (G-17fast) were assayed with an EIA test using a Mab highly specific to amidated G-17. None of the patients and controls received therapy with PPIs or other antisecretory agents.RESULTS: The mean and median levels of G-17fast in serum were significantly lower (P = 0.001) in BE patients than in controls. The positive likelihood ratios (LR+) of low G-17fast to predict BE in the whole study population at G-17fast levels ＜0.5, ＜1, or ＜1.5 pmol/L were 3.5, 3.0,and 2.8, respectively. Among patients and controls with healthy stomach mucosa, the LR+ were 5.6, 3.8, and 2.6,respectively. In the whole study population, serum G-17 was below 2 pmol/L in 15 of 19 BE patients (79%). The corresponding prevalence was 66 of 199 (33%) in controls (P＜0.001). The G-17fast was 5 pmol/L or more in only one of the 19 BE patients (5%). In controls, 76 of the 199 patients (38%) had such high serum G-17fast levels (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Serum levels of G-17fast tend to be lower in native patients with BE than in healthy controls.

Superoxide dismutase prevents development of adenocarcinoma in a rat model of Barrett's esophagus

AIM： To test whether antioxidant treatment could prevent the progression of Barrett＇s esophagus to adenocarcinoma. METHODS： In a rat model of gastroduodenoesophageal reflux by esophagojejunal anastomosis with gastric preservation, groups of 6-10 rats were randomized to receive treatment with superoxide dismutase （SOD） or vehicle and followed up for 4 too. Rat＇s esophagus was assessed by histological analysis, superoxide anion and peroxinitrite generation, SOD levels and DNA oxidative damage. RESULTS： All rats undergoing esophagojejunostomy developed extensive esophageal mucosal ulceration and inflammation by mo 4. The process was associated with a progressive presence of intestinal metaplasia beyond the anastomotic area （9% 1st mo and 50% 4th too） （94% at the anastomotic level） and adenocarcinoma （11% 1^ST mo and 60% 4th too）. These changes were associated with superoxide anion and peroxinitrite mucosal generation, an early and significant increase of DNA oxidative damage and a significant decrease in SOD levels （P〈0.05）. Exogenous administration of SOD decreased mucosal superoxide levels, increased mucosal SOD levels and reduced the risk of developing intestinal metaplasia beyond the anastomotic area （odds ratio = 0.326; 95%CI： 0.108-0.981; P = 0.046）, and esophageal adenocarcinoma （odds ratio = 0.243; 95%CI： 0.073-0.804; P = 0.021）. CONCLUSION： Superoxide dismutase prevents the progression of esophagitis to Barrett＇s esophagus and adenocarcinoma in this rat model of gastrointestinal reflux, supporting a role of antioxidants in the chemoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Helpfulness of the combination of acetic acid and FICE in the detection of Barrett's epithelium and Barrett's associated neoplasias

AIM:To investigate the mucosal morphology in Barrett's oesophagus by chromo and magnifying endoscopy.METHODS:A prospective pilot study at a tertiary medical centre was conducted to evaluate the use of acetic acid pulverisation combined with virtual chromoendoscopy using Fujinon intelligent chromoendoscopy(FICE) for semiological characterization of the mucosal morphology in Barrett's oesophagus and its neoplastic complications.Upper endoscopy using high definition whitelight,2% acid acetic pulverisation and FICE with high definition videoendoscopy were performed in 20 patients including 18 patients who presented with aspects of Barrett's oesophagus at endoscopy examination.Two patients used as controls had normal endoscopy and histological results.Prospectively,videos were watched blind from histological results by three trained FICE technique endoscopists.RESULTS:The videos of patients with high-grade dysplasia showed an irregular mucosal pattern in 14% using high definition white light endoscopy and in 100% using acid acetic-FICE combined.Videos did not identify irregular vascular patterns using high definition white light endoscopy,while acid acetic-FICE combined visualised one in 86% of cases.CONCLUSION:Combined acetic acid and FICE is a promising method for screening high-grade dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus.

Barrett's esophagus:Prevalence and risk factors in patients with chronic GERD in Upper Egypt

AIM： To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors of Barrett＇s esophagus （BE） in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） in EI Minya and Assuit, Upper Egypt. METHODS： One thousand consecutive patients with chronic GERD symptoms were included in the study over 2 years. They were subjected to history taking including a questionnaire for GERD symptoms, clinical examination and upper digestive tract endoscopy. Endoscopic signs suggestive of columnar-lined esophagus （CLE） were defined as mucosal tongues or an upward shift of the squamocolumnar junction. BF was diagnosed by pathological examination when specialized intestinal metaplasia was detected histologically in suspected CLE. pH was monitored in 40 patients. RESULTS： BE was present in 7.3% of patients with chronic GERD symptoms, with a mean age of 48.3 ± 8.2 years, which was significantly higher than patients with GERD without BE （37.4 ± 13.6 years）. Adenocarcinoma was detected in eight cases （0.8%）, six of them in BE patients. There was no significant difference between patients with BE and GERD regarding sex, smoking, alcohol consumption or symptoms of GERD. Patients with BE had significantly longer esophageal acid exposure time in the supine position, measured by pH monitoring. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of BE in patients with GERD who were referred for endoscopy was 7.3%. BE seems to be associated with older age and more in patients with nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux.

Advanced endoscopic imaging in Barrett's oesophagus:A review on current practice

Over the last few years,improvements in endoscopic imaging technology have enabled identification of dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus.New techniques should exhibit high sensitivities and specificities and have good interobserver agreement.They should also be affordable and easily applicable to the community gastroenterologist.Ideally,these modalities must exhibit the capability of imaging wide areas in real time whilst enabling the endoscopist to specifically target abnormal areas.This review will specifically focus on some of the novel endoscopic imaging modalities currently available in routine practice which includes chromoendoscopy,autofluorescence imaging and narrow band imaging.

Natural history of Barrett's esophagus

The natural history of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is difficult to quantify because,by definition,it should describe the course of the condition if left untreated.Pragmatically,we assume that patients with BE will receive symptomatic treatment with acid suppression,usually a proton pump inhibitor,to treat their heartburn.This paper describes the development of complications of stricture,ulcer,dysplasia and adenocarcinoma from this standpoint.Controversies over the definition of BE and its implications in clinical practice are presented.The presence of intestinal metaplasia and its relevance to cancer risk is discussed,and the need to measure the extent of the Barrett's epithelium (long and short segments) using the Prague guidelines is emphasized.Guidelines and international consensus over the diagnosis and management of BE are being regularly updated.The need for expert consensus is important due to the lack of randomized trials in this area.After searching the literature,we have tried to collate the important studies regarding progression of Barrett's to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma.No therapeutic studies yet reported show a clear reduction in the development of cancer in BE.The effect of pharmacological and surgical intervention on the natural history of Barrett's is a subject of ongoing research,including the Barrett's Oesophagus Surveillance Study and the aspirin and esomeprazole cancer chemoprevention trial with interesting results.The geographical variation and the wide range of outcomes highlight the difficulty of providing an individualized risk profile to patients with BE.Future studies on the interaction of genome wide abnormalities in Barrett's and their interaction with environmental factors may allow individualization of the risk of cancer developing in BE.

Transepithelial leak in Barrett's esophagus patients: The role of proton pump inhibitors

AIM： To determine if the observed paracellular sucrose leak in Barrett＇s esophagus patients is due to their pro- ton pump inhibitor （PPI） use. METHODS： The in vivo sucrose permeability test was administered to healthy controls, to Barrett＇s patients and to non-Barrett＇s patients on continuous PPI thera- py. Degree of leak was tested for correlation with pres- ence of Barrett＇s, use of PPIs, and length of Barrett＇s segment and duration of PPI use. RESULTS： Barrett＇s patients manifested a near 3-fold greater, upper gastrointestinal sucrose leak than healthy controls. A decrease of sucrose leak was ob- served in Barrett＇s patients who ceased PPI use for 7 d.Although initial introduction of PPI use （in a PPI-na＇ive population） results in dramatic increase in sucrose leak, long-term, continuous PPI use manifested a slow spon- taneous decline in leak. The sucrose leak observed in Barrett＇s patients showed no correlation to the amount of Barrett＇s tissue present in the esophagus. CONCLUSION： Although future research is needed to determine the degree of paracellular leak in actual Barrett＇s mucosa, the relatively high degree of leak ob- served with in vivo sucrose permeability measurement of Barrett＇s patients reflects their PPI use and not their Barrett＇s tissue perse.

Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia:Focus on current treatment options

High-grade dysplasia(HGD) in Barrett's esophagus(BE) is the critical step before invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma.Although its natural history remains unclear,an aggressive therapeutic approach is usually indicated.Esophagectomy represents the only treatment able to reliably eradicate the neoplastic epithelium.In healthy patients with reasonable life expectancy,vagal-sparing esophagectomy,with associated low mortality and low early and late postoperative morbidity,is considered the treatment of choice for BE with HGD.Patients unfit for surgery should be managed in a less aggressive manner,using endoscopic ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection of the entire BE segment,followed by lifelong surveillance.Patients eligible for surgery who present with a long BE segment,multifocal dysplastic lesions,severe reflux symptoms,a large fixed hiatal hernia or dysphagia comprise a challenging group with regard to the appropriate treatment,either surgical or endoscopic.

Characteristics of patients with columnar-lined Barrett's esophagus and risk factors for progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma

AIM： To determine the risk factors for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma in these patients with columnar-lined esophagus （CLE）. METHODS： Data collected retrospectively on 597 consecutive patients diagnosed at endoscopy and histology to have CLE at Leeds General Infirmary between 1984 and 1995 were analyzed. Factors evaluated included age, sex, length of columnar segment, smoking, and drinking habits, history of non-steroidal ingestion, presence of endoscopic esophagitis, ulceration or benign strictures and presence of Helicobacter pylori in esophageal biopsies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for the development of adenocarcinoma. RESULTS： Forty-four patients presented or developed esophageal adenocarcinoma during follow-up. Independent risk factors for the development of adenocarcinoma in palJents with CLE were males （OR 5.12, 95%CI 2.04-12.84, P = 0.0005）, and benign esophageal stricture （OR 4.37, 95%CI 2.02-9.45, P = 0.0002）. Male subjects and patients who developed benign esophageal stricture constituted 86% （n = 38） of all patients who presented or developed esophageal adenocarcinoma. The presence of esophagitis was associated with a significant reduction in the development of esophageal carcinoma （OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.13-0.57, P = 0.0006）. No other clinical characteristics differentiate between the non-malignant and malignant group. CONCLUSION： In patients with CLE, endoscopic surveillance for the early detection of adenocarcinoma may be restricted to male subjects, as well as patients who develop benign esophageal strictures.

Distinction between short-segment Barrett's esophageal and cardiac intestinal metaplasia

AIM： To investigate the roles of mucin histochemistry, cytokeratin 7/20 （CK7/20） immunoreactivity, clinical characteristics and endoscopy to distinguish short- segment Barrett＇s esophageal （SSBE） from cardiac intestinal metaplasia （CIM）. METHODS： High iron diamine/Alcian blue （HID/AB） mucin-histochemical staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to classify intestinal metaplasia （IN） and to determine CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern in SSBE and CIM, respectively, and these results were compared with endoscopical diagnosis and the positive rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） symptoms and H pylori infection. Long-segment Barrett＇ s esophageal and IM of gastric antrum were designed as control. RESULTS： The prevalence of type III IM was significantly higher in SSBE than in CIM （63.33% vs 23.08%, P〈0.005）. The CK7/20 immunoreactivity in SSBE showed mainly Barrett＇s pattern （76.66%）, and the GERD symptoms in most cases which showed Barrett＇ s pattern were positive, whereas H pylori infection was negative. However, the CK7/20 immunoreactivity in CIM was gastric pattern preponderantly （61.54%）, but there were 23.08% cases that showed Barrett＇s pattern. H pylori infection in all cases which showed gastric pattern was significantly higher than those which showed Barrett＇ s pattern （63.83% vs 19.30%, P〈0.005）, whereas the GERD symptoms in gastric pattern were significantly lower than that in Barrett＇s pattern （21.28% vs 85.96%,P〈O.O05）. CONCLUSION： Distinction of SSBE from CIM should not be based on a single method; however, the combination of clinical characteristics, histology, mucin histochemistry, CK7/20 immunoreactivity, and endoscopic biopsy should be applied. Type III IM, presence of GERD symptoms, and Barrett＇s CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may support the diagnosis of SSBE, whereas non-type III IM, positive H pylori infection, and gastric CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may imply CIM.

Epidemiological investigation of Barrett's esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in Northwest China

Objective： To investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of Barrett＇s esophagus （BE） in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） in Northwest China. Methods： Patients older than 18 years who underwent regular health check-up or had upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the endoscopy centers of four major teaching hospitals located in four different provinces of Northwest China from September 2008 to February 2009 were included in the study. A face-to-face reflux diagnostic questionnaire including risk factors were taken and scale scores （So） were accumulated. Diagnostic criterion of GERD was Sc≥12 points. None of these subjects received anti-acid medication prior to their endoscopy done. Barrett＇s esophagus was diagnosed when specialized intestinal metaplasia was detected histologically. Results： A total of 528 patients met the criteria of GERD, among which 32 patients （20 male and 12 female） were diagnosed with BE. BE was present in 6.06% with a mean age of 51.2±11.6 years, which was significantly older than patients with GERD without BE （46.6±13.3 years） （P〈0.05）. There weresignificant differences between BE and GERD patients regarding gender, age, hiatus hernia, smoking and alcohol consumption （P〈0.05）, while no significant difference regarding symptoms of GERD. There was significant difference between short segment Barrett＇s esophagus and long segment （65.6% vs 34.4%, P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The prevalence of BE was 6.06% in patients with GERD in northwest China and was dominated by SSBE. The potential risk factors of Barrett＇s esophagus were older age, male, esophageal hiatal hernia, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Clinicopathological characteristics of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive Barrett's adenocarcinoma

AIM:To compare the clinicopathological characteristics of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and HER2-negative Barrett's adenocarcinoma in Japan. METHODS:We performed immunohistochemical analysis of HER2 in 30 samples taken from patients with Barrett's adenocarcinoma and dual color in situ hybridization in cases showing 2+ reactions. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics of HER2-positive and HER2-negative patients.RESULTS:HER2 positivity was identified in 8 (27%) carcinoma samples. We found that HER2 expression was associated with p53 overexpression (100% vs 52.6% in pT1 tumor; 100% vs 54.5% in all stage tumor, P < 0.05) and protruding lesions at the early disease stage. There was no association between the mucin phenotype of the carcinomas and prognosis. HER2 expression and low clinical stage were unexpectedly different between Barrett's adenocarcinoma patients and gastric cancer patients, but the macroscopic features may be associated with earlier diagnosis in these patients. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that HER2-positive Barrett's adenocarcinomas are associated with p53 overexpression and lesion protrusion at the early disease stage.

Absence of Na^+/sugar cotransport activity in Barrett's metaplasia

AIM:To evaluate the presence of Na+-dependent, active, sugar transport in Barrett's epithelia as an intestinal biomarker, based on the well-documented, morphological intestinal phenotype of Barrett's esophagus (BE). METHODS: We examined uptake of the nonmeta- bolizable glucose analogue, alpha-methyl-D-glucoside (AMG), a substrate for the entire sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT) family of transport proteins. During upper endoscopy, patients with BE or with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) allowed for duodenal, gastric fundic, and esophageal mucosal biopsies to be taken. Biopsies were incubated in bicarbonate-buffered saline (KRB) containing 0.1 mmol/L 14C-AMG for 60 min at 20℃. Characterized by abundant SGLT, duodenum served as a positive control while gastric fundus and normal esophagus, known to lack SGLT, served as negative controls. RESULTS: Duodenal biopsies accumulated 249.84 ± 35.49 (SEM) picomoles AMG/μg DNA (n = 12), gastric fundus biopsies 36.20 ± 6.62 (n = 12), normal esophagus 12.10 ± 0.59 (n = 3) and Barrett's metaplasia 29.79 ± 5.77 (n = 8). There was a statistical difference (P < 0.01) between biopsies from duodenum and each other biopsy site but there was no statistically significant difference between normal esophagus and BE biopsies. 0.5 mmol/L phlorizin (PZ) inhibited AMG uptake into duodenal mucosa by over 89%, but had nosignificant effect on AMG uptake into gastric fundus, normal esophagus, or Barrett's tissue. In the absence of Na+ (all Na+ salts replaced by Li+ salts), AMG uptake in duodenum was decreased by over 90%, while uptake into gastric, esophageal or Barrett's tissue was statistically unaffected. CONCLUSION: Despite the intestinal enterocyte phenotype of BE, Na+-dependent, sugar transport activity is not present in these cells.

Endoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus

The Prague C and M Criteria have been developed for the objective endoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus(BE).BE arises between the squamocolumnar junction and the gastroesophageal junction at the proximal margin of the gastric folds.In this study,we reported that 43.0% of the subjects examined were diagnosed with BE based on the Prague C and M Criteria.Previous criticism by John Dent proposed that our data should be considered invalid because the prevalence of BE reported in our study was extraordinarily high and discordant with previous studies.Dent predicted that the position of the gastroesophageal junction in our study was judged to be lower than the actual position due to the effacement of the proximal ends of the gastric folds because of the routine use of a high degree of air distension during typical Japanese endoscopic examinations.The endoscopic evaluation of the superior gastric folds is certainly influenced by the degree of air distension of the esophagus.However,in our study,the proximal limit of the gastric mucosal folds was prospectively imaged while the oesophagus was minimally insufflated.Then,under a high level of air distension,the distal ends of the palisade-shaped longitudinal vessels were imaged because they are more easily observed when distended.In the majority of patients,the distal ends of the palisade-shaped longitudinal vessels correspond to the proximal limit of the gastric mucosal folds.Our endoscopic evaluation was appropriately performed according to the Prague C and M Criteria.We suspect that the high prevalence of BE in our study may be due to the inclusion of ultrashort-segment BE,which defines BE with an affected mucosal length under 5 mm,in our positive results.