A Nonsurgical Alternative for Treating BE with HGD

In a large multicenter trial, circumferential ablation produced complete responses in 90% of BE patients with high-grade dysplasia.

Esophagectomy was once the favored therapy for Barrett esophagus with high-grade dysplasia (HGD), but guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology now indicate that close surveillance and endoscopic ablation therapies are also suitable options (JW Gastroenterol Apr 18 2008). In the present study, researchers examined a relatively new endoscopic ablation technique: circumferential ablation using a balloon-based radiofrequency device.

To assess the safety and efficacy of this technique as a nonsurgical approach to treating BE with HGD, researchers (some of whom had ties to the manufacturer of the equipment used in the procedure) used registry data to identify 142 patients with BE (mean length, 6 cm) and HGD who underwent circumfere…

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