RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Histological changes in the oesophageal squamous mucosa: correlation with ambulatory 24 hour pH monitoring
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 205
OP 208
DO 10.1136/jcp.56.3.205
VO 56
IS 3
A1 D J Bowrey
A1 G T Williams
A1 G W B Clark
YR 2003
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/56/3/205.abstract
AB Aims: To determine the value of squamous mucosal histology in the assessment of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Methods: Sixty six patients with reflux symptoms underwent endoscopy with oesophageal biopsy, manometry, and 24 hour oesophageal pH testing. The following histological features were assessed in squamous mucosa: the degree of basal cell hyperplasia, the degree of papillary zone elongation, and the density of neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration. Comparisons were made between the histological findings and the oesophageal function tests. Results: The correlation between the traditionally accepted histological markers of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in squamous mucosa and 24 hour pH testing was predominantly negative, with the exception of neutrophil inflammation in the squamous mucosa of patients with complicated reflux disease. Conclusions: This study was unable to confirm the value of the Ismail-Beigi criteria as histological markers of acid reflux. By inference, biopsy of the oesophageal squamous mucosa is of limited value in the assessment of patients with reflux symptoms.