Clinical Gastroenterology Vol.19 No.12(5)

Theme Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis
Title Endoscopic Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus : Significance of “3 cm” in Endoscopic Observation
Publish Date 2004/11
Author Tamae Kazawa Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Author Haruhiro Inoue Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Author Yoshitaka Sato Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Author Hitoshi Satodate Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Author Satoshi Sugaya Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Author Shin-ei Kudo Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
[ Summary ] Barrett's esophagus is considered the end stage of reflex esophagitis. It is thought to be increasing in our country, due to the increased incidence of GERD disease. Moreover, as the malignant potential of Barrett's esophagus has been widely recognized, the importance of endoscopic diagnoses and observation of Barrett's esophagus has also been recognized. The significance of observations with magnifying endoscopy is to detect the early stages of the Barrett's esophageal cancer. In addition, Microfil may be injected into the resected area in case of esophageal cancer. It is thought that Barrett's esophagus (LSBE) is present when it exceeds the top of the hedge vessels in the columnar epithelium and has progressed to the state of Barrett's esophagus. The 3 cm size that Skinner described is one indication of the length of the hedge vessels, which may be properly observed from examinations of clear specimens.
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