Barrett's oesophagus

Question 1

What is Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 1

Metaplasia of oesophageal stratified squamous epithelium to simple columnar epithelium

Question 2

What is metaplasia?

Answer 2

abnormal reversible change of one cell type to another

Question 3

What causes Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 3

The vast majority of cases are caused by chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The epithelium of the oesophagus becomes damaged by the reflux of gastric contents, resulting in a metaplastic transformation. This in turn increases the risk of developing dysplastic and neoplastic changes.

Question 4

Management for Barrett’s oesophaguys?

Answer 4

PPI
Stop NSAIDs
Lifestyle advice - reduce alcohol, weight loss, smoking cessation.

If there is high grade dysplasia - endoscopic ablation with mucosal resection