Reflux oesophagitis, also known as
Barrett[?]'s disease, is inflammation caused by
regurgitation of the
acid contents of the
stomach into the
esophagus. Probably a mild degree of reflux is a normal physiological condition and reflux is only a problem when it causes symptoms or other medical disease.
Reflux can cause:
Less commonly and in more severe cases:
- Regurgitation (vomit like taste in the mouth)
- Strictures or scarring of oesophagus (especially young children).
- Barrett oesophagus[?] or dysplasia (a pre-cancerous condition).
In the adult oesophagitis causes discomfort which is treated with antacids or some medications such as proton pump inhibitors[?].
Biopsies can be peformed and these may show:
- Oedema and basal hyperplasia (non-specific inflammatory changes)
- Lymphocytic inflammation (non-specific)
- Neutrophilic inflammation (usually either reflux or Helicobacter gastritis)
- Eosinophilic inflammation (usually reflux)
- Goblet cell intestinal metaplasia or Barretts oesophagus.
- Dysplasia[?] or pre-cancer.
- Carcinoma[?].
Barretts oesophagus has been regarded as a precursor condition to dysplasia which is in turn is a precursor conditoin for carcinoma. The risk of progression from Barretts to dysplasia is uncertain but has probably been exaggerated in the past.