Dilated intercellular spaces as markers of reflux disease: histology, semiquantitative score and morphometry upon light microscopy.
OBJECTIVE
A recent electron microscopy study suggested that dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) are specific for acid reflux-damaged esophageal epithelium. Electron microscopy is, however, expensive and difficult to apply to routine biopsies. The aims of this study are to establish a method for assessing DIS on light microscopy of esophageal biopsies and to estimate its association with current clinicopathological parameters of esophagitis.


METHODS
21 patients with reflux symptoms were investigated. Light microscopy biopsies were assessed for DIS size by a semiquantitative method and computer-assisted, static morphometry. A DIS score accounting for DIS size and distribution was assigned to each patient and its association with 30 clinicopathological variables investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Both the semiquantitative method and static morphometry identified 4 different classes of DIS size. The DIS score was significantly and independently associated with the esophageal symptoms score, the histological score of esophagitis and the relevant morphometry data.


CONCLUSIONS
DIS may be efficiently assessed during light microscopy of routine esophageal biopsies. Since correlation with both the histology and the symptoms of esophagitis, the DIS score may be considered a novel parameter of esophagitis and is suggested for the routine evaluation of esophageal biopsies in patients with reflux disease.
Villanacci
V
V
Pathology Service 2, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
Grigolato
P G
PG
Cestari
R
R
Missale
G
G
Cengia
G
G
Klersy
C
C
Rindi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002452:Cell Count; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests