title: Felinization of the esophagus.
abstract: Transient transverse folds of the esophageal mucosa as seen by barium esophagography and on endoscopic examination have been termed "felinization." This finding has been considered a normal variant or has been associated with reflux esophagitis. No symptoms have been associated with its presence. In 280 unselected patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in our clinic, felinization was identified in 24% by prospective visual examination. It was not correlated with sex, age, symptom complex, or common coexistent endoscopic findings. These transverse esophageal folds, although visually interesting, appear to have no clinical significance. The endoscopist should recognize and differentiate them from fixed or persistent folds that can be associated with mucosal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Kundrotas
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002415:Cats / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors