| Theme |
Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis |
| Title |
Endoscopic Classification of Reflux Esophagitis |
| Author |
Tomoyuki Koike |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| Author |
Shuichi Ohara |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| Author |
Yoshifumi Inomata |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| Author |
Katsunori Iijima |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| Author |
Hitoshi Sekine |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| Author |
Tooru Shimosegawa |
Department of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Reflux esophagitis is divided endoscopically into four grades', A to D, according to the severity of mucosal breaks [Los Angeles (LA) classification]. A mucosal break was defined as ´an area of slough or an area of erythema, with a discrete lined demarcation from the adjacent or normal looking mucosa´. Dr. Hoshihara proposed a modification of the LA classification, including a classification for minimal changes being grade M and for an esophagus with only minimal changes and/or mucosal breaks being grade N. In Japan, this modified classification is mainly used at present. |