Summary
A segment of the distal oesophagus lined with columnar epithelium (endobrachy oesophagus,
Barrett's oesophagus), is very frequently seen in association with chronic reflux
conditions. Usually, this entity is an asymmetrical columnar-cell metaplasia of varying
extent, with an unsharp epithelial junction line cranial, and showing varyingly large
residual islands of squamous epithelium. In addition, usually well-developed peptic
lesions are also found. More rarely seen are cases with a longer, symmetrical, cranially
sharply delimited columnar-epithelial-lined segment, in which peptic lesions and strictures
are usually either restricted to the proximal section, or are lacking altogether.
Among more than 100 patients presenting with endobrachy-oesophagus, 14 cases had the
latter form of the condition. Seven had a solitary, high peptic stricture, and only
50 % unequivocal hiatus hernia. In four patients there were no inflammatory changes
at all. In 8 patients, fundic glands were observed. Of particular interest was the
segment-like arrangement of cardiac and fundic glands in 2 of the patients. In only
a single case were scar formations seen in the columnar-lined segment. Considered
from the point of view of our embryological knowledge, certain forms of endobrachyoesophagus
would appear to represent a congenital anomaly.
Key words:
Endobrachy oesophagus - Barrett's syndrome - Columnar-lined oesophagus - Peptic oesophageal
lesions
