[Pathologic anatomy of Barrett's esophagus]

It is most substantiated to define Barrett's esophagus as intestinal metaplasia of esophageal cardiac mucosa irrespective of its association with the endoscopically detected esophageogastric junction, which develops as a result of gastroesophageal reflux. There is a need for further investigations of the specific features of the cardiac-type mucosa. During endoscopic study, it is important to be alert when identifying short and ultrashort Barrett's esophagus and to sample sufficient biopsy material. A pathologist must differentiate three major types of the cylindrical epithelium of the esophagus: cardiac, acid-producing cardiac, and intestinal metaplasia, by diagnosing Barrett's esophagus in the latter case. Patients with the esophageal cardiac mucosa should be referred to as a risk group for its development.