Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus

Gastric heterotopia in the proximal oesophagus ("inlet patch"): Association with adenocarcinomas arising in Barrett mucosa

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of inlet patches and their association with other conditions of the gastrointestinal tract have been studied prospectively in tertiary care facilities; little is known about practice patterns in private outpatient clinics and endoscopy centres.

AIMS

To assess prevalence, demographic determinants, and associated clinicopathologic features of inlet patches in patients who had oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in outpatient settings throughout the United States.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the clinicopathologic records of 487,229 unique patients who had oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies between January 2008 and December 2010.

RESULTS

There were 870 patients with inlet patches with a prevalence of 0.18%. Significant associations included male gender (OR 1.68), dysphagia (OR 1.34), upper respiratory complaints (OR 2.81), globus (OR 5.39) Barrett oesophagus (OR 1.55), and adenocarcinomas arising in Barrett mucosa (OR 5.64).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of inlet patches in a tertiary care setting (0.18%) was considerably lower than reported in prospective studies (3.7% on average). Inlet patches were significantly associated with male gender, dysphagia, upper respiratory complaints, globus, Barrett mucosa, and adenocarcinomas arising in Barrett oesophagus. Further studies will be needed to determine if patients with inlet patches and Barrett mucosa benefit from increased surveillance.

Cytokeratins 7 and 20 and mucin core protein expression in esophageal cervical inlet patch

Cervical inlet patch (CIP) is defined by the presence of gastric mucosa within the first few centimeters of the esophagus. Several endoscopic series have demonstrated a frequent association of CIP with Barrett's esophagus (BE) suggesting a pathogenetic link. A histochemical study reporting the presence of acid mucin in CIP, including sulfomucin, supports this hypothesis. We evaluated mucin core protein expression and cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK7/CK20) pattern in biopsies of CIP, normal antrum, and BE to comment on a possible relationship of CIP with BE. We observed that both lesions have similar cytokeratin patterns with mixed CK7/CK20 reactivity on the surface and pits and lone CK7 positivity in the glands. MUC5AC was strongly expressed on the surface and pits but not in the glands of CIP and antral mucosa. Within BE, MUC5AC positivity was noted not only on the surface and pits but also in the glands. MUC6 similarly decorated the glands of CIP and BE. MUC2 was expressed rarely in CIP with goblet cells but conspicuously on the surface and pits of BE. MUC5B was seen in both CIP and BE and rarely in the antral mucosa. The similarities between CIP and BE but not with normal antral mucosa fits with the hypothesis that both lesions may originate from submucosal esophageal mucous glands. Two pathogenetic pathways can be entertained: focal upper esophageal mucosal misdevelopment in pediatric population and patchy metaplastic replacement of squamous mucosa in adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Mucin histochemistry of heterotopic gastric mucosa of the upper esophagus in adults: possible pathogenic implications

The mucin profile of 24 endoscopic biopsies of heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) of the upper esophagus in adults and a control group of ten cases of Meckel's diverticula containing heterotopic gastric mucosa were studied with two combined histochemical methods: alcian blue pH 2.5/PAS and high iron diamine/alcian blue pH 2.5. The clinical and light microscopic features of the 24 HGM cases were also reviewed. In addition to overall secretion of neutral mucins by the 24 HGM cases, mucin histochemistry showed prominent secretion of acidic mucins in 19 of 24 HGM cases (79%), with sulphomucins in 11 of 24 HGM cases (45.8%). This mucin profile of HGM was unlike that of either normal gastric mucosa or heterotopic gastric mucosa in Meckel's diverticula. Moreover, a comparison between the mucin profile and clinical features of HGM and Barrett's esophagus showed certain similarities. The data suggest a physiopathologic link between HGM and Barrett's esophagus.

Spontaneous esophagotracheal fistula resulting from ulcer in heterotopic gastric mucosa

In a 50-yr-old male patient, a spontaneously perforating peptic ulcer located in a patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper part of the esophagus led to the development of an esophagotracheal fistula. The histologic workup revealed, in addition to ulcer necroses and granulation tissue, glands of the fundic type, with chief and parietal cells. On the basis of histologic results, the fistula was successfully occluded with the aid of a fibrin adhesive applied endoscopically. After the second session, the patient immediately became free of symptoms. Under medical treatment with an H2-receptor blocker, the patient has been completely symptom-free for 1 yr.