Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction01:21

Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction

Barrett's esophagus is a medical condition where the esophageal mucosa is significantly damaged by stomach acid or other digestive fluids, often due to long-term exposure associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In GERD, a weakened or abnormally relaxed lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach acid to flow persistently into the esophagus.
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more similar...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:21

Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Individuals with Barrett's esophagus are often asymptomatic, but they may experience symptoms commonly associated with GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. Additional symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool (which may appear black, tarry, or bloody), and episodes of vomiting.
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction01:30

Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction

Esophageal strictures involve abnormal narrowing or tightening of the esophagus. They vary in length and severity, ranging from mild constriction to complete obstruction, and are classified as benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease01:25

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the backward flow of stomach contents (acid, pepsin, or bile) into the esophagus, causing mucosal inflammation known as esophagitis. It results from failure of antireflux mechanisms, mainly the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), influenced by mechanical and physiological factors.Etiology and Risk FactorsGERD develops when LES function is weakened or when intra-abdominal pressure increases. Risk factors include aging, obesity, and sliding hiatal hernia,...
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:28

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The protease inhibitor darunavir prevents esophagitis and impairments in esophageal barrier function in a mouse model of GERD.

American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology·2026
Same author

In Obesity, Esophagogastric Junction Fat Impairs Esophageal Barrier Function and Dilates Intercellular Spaces via Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2α.

Gastroenterology·2024
Same author

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α mediates reflux-induced epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in Barrett's oesophagus patients.

Gut·2024
Same author

Th2 cytokine signaling through IL-4Rα increases eotaxin-3 secretion and tension in human esophageal smooth muscle.

American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology·2023
Same author

Why Has Screening and Surveillance for Barrett's Esophagus Fallen Short in Stemming the Rising Incidence of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma?

The American journal of gastroenterology·2023
Same author

Response to Haseeb et al.

The American journal of gastroenterology·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
08:54

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells

Published on: July 20, 2014

Barrett's esophagus: the American perspective.

Stuart Jon Spechler1

  • 1Department of Medicine, VA North Texas Healthcare System, and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Tex., USA. SJSpechler@aol.com

Digestive Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Barrett's esophagus involves metaplastic changes in the esophagus. While endoscopic therapy is recommended for high-grade dysplasia, its use for nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus lacks evidence, warranting caution.

More Related Videos

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging
06:55

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: May 11, 2014

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
03:36

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 12, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 2026

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
08:54

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells

Published on: July 20, 2014

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging
06:55

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging

Published on: May 11, 2014

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
03:36

Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 12, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Barrett's esophagus is defined by metaplastic columnar epithelium replacing squamous epithelium in the distal esophagus, increasing cancer risk.
  • Diagnosis requires intestinal metaplasia (goblet cells); cardiac mucosa metaplasia's risk is unclear.
  • Esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence is 6% per year in high-grade dysplasia patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines on Barrett's esophagus management.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and indications for endoscopic eradication therapy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
  • To discuss the controversies surrounding the management of low-grade dysplasia and nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines and clinical recommendations.
  • Analysis of data regarding endoscopic eradication therapy for Barrett's esophagus with varying dysplasia grades.
  • Evaluation of the evidence supporting radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for nondysplastic Barrett's metaplasia.

Main Results:

  • Endoscopic eradication therapy is recommended for high-grade dysplasia due to low risks of lymph node metastasis (1-2%) for mucosal neoplasms.
  • Endoscopic therapy is generally not advised for submucosal neoplasms due to high metastasis rates.
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a therapeutic option for confirmed low-grade dysplasia, but its benefit for nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus is unproven.

Conclusions:

  • Management of low-grade dysplasia remains debated due to diagnostic variability and unclear natural history.
  • Enthusiasm for RFA in nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus should be tempered by a lack of established cancer risk reduction and concerns about buried glands and recurrence.