Diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus

Abstract

Barrett esophagus is characterized by the replacement of squamous mucosa in the esophagus by specialized intestinal metaplasia. Its clinical significance lies in it being the strongest risk factor for and known precursor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis requires endoscopic confirmation of columnar metaplasia in the distal esophagus and histologic confirmation of specialized intestinal metaplasia. Recommendations for the management of subjects diagnosed with Barrett esophagus include periodic endoscopic surveillance to detect the development of high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma. Careful endoscopic evaluation with high-resolution endoscopy and endoscopic resection is recommended in the evaluation of subjects with high-grade dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma.