Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Barrett's esophagus is a major complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease and is associated with 30-125 fold increased risk of developing carcinoma. Because of the rising incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma the malignant potential of Barrett's esophagus has been generally recognized. The definition of Barrett's esophagus has evolved over the last decades. It is now accepted that "Long-Barrett-Segment" (LBS) is used when intestinal-type epithelium, characterized by the presence of goblet cells, is detected in the distal esophagus > 3 cm in length. The term "Short-Barrett-Segment" (SBS) is defined by intestinal metaplasia detection < 3 cm in length in the distal esophagus. Recently, there has been focus on microscopic Barrett's esophagus, so called "Ultra-Short-Barrett's esophagus", with histological evidence of intestinal metaplasia without endoscopic appearance. The most significant predictor of the risk of malignancy in patients with Barrett's esophagus is the presence of dysplasia. Guidelines for surveillance are based on the diagnosis of dysplastic lesions. New methods (e. g. Methylene blue staining, endoscopic fluorescence detection, OCT) to improve the recognition of Barrett's esophagus and especially enhance the detection of premalignant and malignant lesions are under evaluation. So far, the standard biopsy protocol for patients with LBS includes biopsies in the 4 quadrants every 1-2 cm, whereas the appropriate surveillance intervals are dependent on the grade of dysplasia. Whether surveillance in patients with SBS has to be similar to that in patients with LBS is unclear and needs further evaluation.
 ...
PMID:[Surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus]. 1155 64

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in the Western world. Upper endoscopy is needed to characterize the disease. Barrett's esophagus as a complication of GERD is an established precancerous condition which can lead to adenocarcinoma in the distal esophagus. This review summarizes recent advances in the endoscopic characterization of Barrett's esophagus using magnification endoscopy and chromoendoscopy. Methylene blue, indigo carmine and acetic acid are commonly used dyes to facilitate diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus. Methylene blue is absorbed in the specialized columnar epithelium, which is pathognomonic for Barrett's esophagus. Indigo carmine and acetic acid are used as contrast stains to highlight the surface architecture. Currently, different dyes are used in conjunction with magnifying endoscopes to characterize specific surface patterns of Barrett's epithelium. However, the current proposed classifications are too complex relative to their clinical value. Nevertheless, simplification of these systems will occur over time with increased use of magnifying chromoendoscopy. The value of magnifying chromoendoscopy for clinical practice is not determined yet and currently under investigation. However, these techniques have significant potential to improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with Barrett's esophagus.
 ...
PMID:Chromoendoscopy and magnifying endoscopy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Useful or negligible? 1538 55