Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Natural history and long-term medical and surgical outcomes

Evaluation of the gastro-oesophageal junction: defining the incompetent cardio-oeosophageal angle non-invasively with ultrasound and computerized tomography

This study aimed to demonstrate the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) non-invasively using ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT). Intra-abdominal oesophageal length (IAOL) and cardio-oesophageal angle (COA) were measured by US in 25 patients with known reflux and in 25 healthy subjects (control group). CT images of 42 patients with reflux disease and 44 controls were reviewed retrospectively, and IAOL and COA were measured on curved multiplanar format images. Using a cut-off value for IAOL of 20.5 mm, the sensitivity to detect GORD with US was 96% and the specificity was 80% and, with CT, the sensitivity was 95% and the specificity was 78%. A cut-off value of 138.5° for COA yielded sensitivity and specificity values for GORD detection of 76% and 72% with US and 83% and 80% with CT, respectively. In conclusion, with equivocal diagnostic findings, IAOL and COA are useful parameters that can be determined non-invasively by US or CT and may aid diagnosis and treatment choices for patients with suspected GORD.

Do eosinophil numbers differentiate eosinophilic esophagitis from gastroesophageal reflux disease?

CONTEXT

Although the healthy esophageal mucosa contains no eosinophils, eosinophilic infiltration is observed in 2 major clinicopathologic settings: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eosinophilic esophagitis (EE). The prevalence of EE is increasing in many countries, and this increase seems only partly to be due to a better awareness of the pathology, following the relatively recent description of EE. Gastroesophageal reflux disease and EE represent 2 entities that do not respond to the same treatment modalities and, thus, need to be distinguished. However, diagnostic criteria of EE have been defined arbitrarily, and the more recent articles tend to prove that the overlap with GERD is probably greater than initially believed, leading the authors to advise strict exclusion of GERD before considering the diagnosis of EE.

OBJECTIVES

To provide pathologists with the currently proposed histologic criteria of GERD and EE, to stress the need to combine these criteria with clinical data and endoscopic findings, and to outline the remaining controversies.

DATA SOURCES

This review is based on selected articles identified by a PubMed (US National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland) search of the literature in English for GERD and EE, a recent review by the American Gastroenterological Association (Bethesda), the Proceedings of the First International Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Research Symposium, and the authors' experience.

CONCLUSION

Proper identification of the etiology of eosinophilic infiltration of the esophagus allows accurate medical or surgical treatment and follow-up. Eosinophilic esophagitis and GERD diagnoses require integration of the histologic findings with the clinical and endoscopic data.

Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Epidemiological studies have indicated an increase in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Western countries; however, there is a lack of information about its prevalence in Iran. The aim of this study was to measure gastroesophageal reflux disease prevalence in a representative sample of the Tehran population in 1999.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 700 people, with a male : female ratio of 1:1, were selected by stratified randomization based on the probability of 20% prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and 3% error. They were divided equally into seven age groups. Heartburn and acid regurgitation were considered as the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The severity and frequency of heartburn and the role of personal habits in the appearance of this symptom were determined. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in samples was measured, and its actual prevalence in society was estimated.

RESULTS

Of 700 people, 350 were male and 350 were female. The major symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were observed in 278 (39.7%) people. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease of smokers was twice that of non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a serious and unresolved problem in Western countries, and its increasing prevalence correlates with an increasing prevalence of adenocarcinoma of distal esophagus. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease appears to be increasing in Iran also; therefore, it is recommended that major attention be paid to this disease.

Surgical approach to gastroesophageal reflux disease: what the radiologist needs to know

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as gastroesophageal reflux resulting in symptoms or in injury to the esophageal epithelium. Although the medical management of GERD has improved, an increasing number of laparoscopic antireflux surgical procedures are being performed. Barium studies, endoscopy, manometry, and pH monitoring are all integral components of preoperative evaluation. Barium swallow examination must allow critical evaluation of esophageal peristalsis, the presence and extent of gastroesophageal reflux, and complications including esophagitis, stricture, and Barrett esophagus. It is crucial to identify and characterize hiatal hernia and longitudinal stricture, which can result in a shortened esophagus. In such cases, it becomes necessary for the surgeon to incorporate an esophageal lengthening procedure prior to fundoplication; otherwise, poor surgical outcome is likely. Normal postfundoplication radiographic findings as well as postoperative complications (eg, tight wrap, perforation, abscess, complete or partial dehiscence, recurrent stricture, recurrent hernia, intrathoracic migration of the wrap) must also be recognized and clearly understood by the radiologist. Given the chronic nature and prevalence of symptomatic GERD and the increasing number of patients undergoing surgical intervention, it is imperative that the radiologist understand the pre- and postsurgical evaluation of affected patients.