Barrett Esophagus Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Mark H Johnston, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 3, 2012
 

History and Physical Examination

History

The classic history for a patient with Barrett esophagus is a middle-aged (55 y) white man with a chronic history of gastroesophageal reflux; for example, pyrosis, acid regurgitation, and, occasionally, dysphagia. Although this is a classic history, some patients may deny any symptoms.

Physical

No unique physical examination characteristics are evident in patients with Barrett esophagus other than those that would be found in patients with chronic GERD.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mark H Johnston, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Consulting Staff, Lancaster Gastroenterology, Inc

Mark H Johnston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John A Eastone, MD  Gastroenterology Fellow, Bethesda and Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, F Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

John A Eastone, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

John A Eastone, MD Gastroenterology Fellow, Bethesda and Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Instructor, Department of Internal Medicine, F Edward Herbert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

John A Eastone, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ronnie Fass, MD Chief of Gastroenterology, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System; Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Arizona School of Medicine

Ronnie Fass, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Gastroenterological Association, American Motility Society, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Israel Medical Association

Disclosure: Takeda Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Conducting research; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Consulting fee Consulting; Takeda Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Vecta Consulting fee Consulting; XenoPort Consulting fee Consulting; Eisai Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Conducting research; AstraZeneca Grant/research funds Conducting research; Eisai Consulting fee Consulting

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Reference Salary Employment

References

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Barrett esophagus (BE). The salmon-pink area has specialized intestinal metaplasia. The white area is squamous epithelium.
Cryoablation of esophageal lining in Barrett esophagus (BE). This is one of the newest experimental ablative therapies for the esophagus performed at the author's laboratory.
Blistering of the esophageal mucosal layer after cryoablation in Barrett esophagus (BE).
 
 
 
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