Barrett's esophagus in an infant: a long standing history with final postsurgical regression.
Data on the frequency of regression of Barrett's esophagus after medical therapy or antireflux surgery in adult patients are conflicting; these data, with regard to pediatric age, where Barrett's esophagus is considered rare, are scarce and disappointing after antireflux surgery. We report a 4-month-old infant affected by severe reflux esophagitis who developed a junctional-type Barrett's epithelium. Histochemical procedures to detect mucin pattern were also carried out. The regression of Barrett's esophagus was observed 4 months after antireflux surgery whereas medical therapy had been unsuccessful. We suggest that esophageal biopsy should also be performed in the presence of severe esophagitis. Longer follow-up observations of other patients may clarify the role of antireflux surgery when Barrett's esophagus complicates gastroesophageal reflux (GER).
Conti Nibali
S
S
Institute of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
Barresi
G
G
Tuccari
G
G
Rivosecchi
M
M
Magazzù
G
G
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001706:Biopsy; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male