Distribution and significance of epithelial types in columnar-lined esophagus

An abnormal columnar-lined esophagus (CLE) is characterized by the presence of cardiac mucosa (CM) oxynto-cardiac mucosa (OCM), and intestinal metaplastic epithelium (IM) between gastric oxyntic mucosa and esophageal squamous epithelium. Thirty-two patients with CLE measuring 2-16 cm long had 5-37 biopsies per patient that showed CM, OCM, or IM for a total of 424 biopsies. Detailed mapping of the distribution of epithelial types within the CLE showed a distinct zonation of epithelial types; CM was present throughout the CLE, whereas OCM and IM tended to occur in the distal and proximal part of the CLE, respectively. All 32 patients (64 of 68 biopsies) showed IM at the most proximal level, compared with 22 of 32 patients (40 of 102 biopsies) in the most distal level biopsies. The density of goblet cells was highest in the most proximal level. The differences in prevalence and density of goblet cells between most proximal and most distal level biopsies were highly significant. These data suggest that for a given number of biopsies within the CLE, the likelihood of finding IM is greatest when the biopsies are concentrated in the most proximal area of the CLE. We suggest that glandular transformation of squamous epithelium results in CM. which evolves into OCM and IM by development of specialized parietal cells and goblet cells, respectively. The severity and nature of reflux cause these epithelial transformations in a constant and predictable manner. Recognition of these changes permits the development of morphologic definitions of reflux disease and the characterization of the sequence of epithelial changes that represent the reflux-adenocarcinoma sequence.