Columnar cell metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium in reflux disease

Diagnosed in a clinical setting were 28 cases of histologically verified columnar cell metaplasia of the esophageal epithelium in patients with grave forms of reflux disease of the esophagus. For the specialized type metaplasia characteristic for the Barrette's esophagus, which was detected in 22 (78.6%) patients, signs of availability of its neoplasic potential included dysplasia of the epithelium, inversion of the mucus-producing process, and eosinophilia of the inflammatory infiltrate.