What’s the Proper Biopsy Protocol to Detect BE?

Collecting at least eight biopsy specimens significantly enhances detection of BE.

Barrett esophagus is defined as metaplastic changes in the esophageal lining — from the usual squamous epithelium to a specialized columnar epithelium. In the U.S., BE diagnosis is established by histologic confirmation of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in biopsy specimens taken from the esophagus, but the optimal number of biopsy specimens for diagnosing BE definitively is unknown.

In this retrospective analysis, researchers evaluated data from 296 endoscopies that were completed during a 4-year period (1998–2002) at a single institution. The number and site of biopsy specimens taken at each endoscopy was left to the discretion of the endoscopists, who arbitrarily allocated patients to one of two arms: one to four biopsy specimens or more than …

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors