"Glassy" cells in Barrett's mucosa.
BACKGROUND
In 1991 we detected glandular cells with "glassy" cytoplasm (GCs) in human gastric mucosa having intestinal metaplasia (IM). GCs were subsequently found in the gastric mucosa of baboons.


METHODS
The frequency of GCs (defined as glandular cells with a homogeneously pale, eosinophilic cytoplasm having a ground-glass appearance) was assessed in 403 human esophageal biopsies with columnar-lined esophagus. GCs may be in one gland or in a group of glands in metaplastic mucosa.


RESULTS
Out of the 403 esophageal biopsies, 176 had cardiac glands with or without oxyntic cells (glandular metaplasia type 1 and 2, respectively) and the remaining 227 cases additionally had goblet cells (that is IM), glandular metaplasia type 3 (namely, Barrett's mucosa). Four out of the 403 cases (0.99%) had glands with GCs; all four cases were recorded among the 227 cases having glandular metaplasia type 3. Thus, GCs were detected in 1.8% of the cases with Barrett's mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies showed that GCs were present in the gastric mucosa of specimens harbouring a gastric carcinoma. The present study showed that GCs are also present in Barrett's mucosa, a lesion often preceding epithelial dysplasia and carcinoma. The association between GCs and Barrett's mucosa deserves further investigation.
Rubio
Carlos A
CA
Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital 17176, Stockholm, Sweden. Carlos.Rubio@ki.se
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology