Due to more severe reflux disease
Hiatal hernia in almost all patients
Mid esophageal mucosal irregularity, stricture, deep ulceration
Risk of cancer > short-segment type
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Short segment: Columnar epithelium ≤ 3 cm above GE junction
More common than long segment (reported in 2-12% of patients with chronic reflux at endoscopy)
Due to less severe reflux disease
Distal esophageal reticular mucosa, ± stricture, ± shallow ulceration
TOP DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
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Drug-induced esophagitis
CLINICAL ISSUES
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Risk of adenocarcinoma based on morphology
High risk: Midesophageal stricture, ulcer, reticular mucosa
Moderate risk: Distal peptic stricture and reflux esophagitis
Low risk: If none of above findings are present
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Diagnosis: Endoscopy with biopsy
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
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Metaplasia of distal esophageal squamous epithelium to columnar epithelium
IMAGING
General Features
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Best diagnostic clue
Mid esophageal stricture with hiatal hernia and reflux is essentially pathognomonic
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Other general features
Acquired condition due to reflux esophagitis
Premalignant condition associated with increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma
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Risk: 30-40x higher than in general population
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90-100% of adenocarcinomas arise from Barrett mucosa
Radiographic Findings
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Double contrast esophagography is imaging of choice
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Classified into 2 types based on endoscopy and histopathologic findings
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