Özofageal inlet patch: Hastaların demografik ve endoskopik karakteristikleri ve litaratürün gözden geçirilmesi

Abstract

Background and Aims: An esophageal inlet patch is crucial in swallowing difficulty, laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms, and rarely in the etiology of proximal esophagus adenocarcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the endoscopic and demographic features of patients with esophageal inlet patch during endoscopic evaluation and compare them with those of the literature. Material and Method: Between January 2017 and January 2021, we evaluated the age, gender ratio, inlet patch size, and number along with the other endoscopic findings in patients with proximal esophageal inlet patch. Results: Overall, 53 patients (women, 36 (68%); mean age, 46.3 ± 15.8 years; range, 19–83 years) were included the study. Only 13 patients (24.5%) had specific symptoms of esophageal inlet patch. The median esophageal inlet patch size was 7.0 mm in women (range, 4–30), while it was 8 mm (range, 5–20) in men. The median inlet patch number was 1 in both sexes (range, 1–3 in women, 1–2 in men). Forceps biopsy was possible in 30 (56.6%) patients. We found no additional esophageal pathology in 45 (84.9%) patients, normal lower esophageal sphincter in 39 (73.5%), incompetent lower esophageal sphincter in 14 (26.4%), hiatal diaphragmatic hernia in 1 (1.8%), and endoscopic antral gastritis in 29 (55.7%) patients. Twelve (54.5%) of 22 endoscopic biopsies were positive for Helicobacter pylori. We detected esophageal inlet patch in the distal esophagus in 2 (3.7%) patients. Conclusion: Esophageal inlet patch was more common in women, unrelated to gastroesophageal reflux disease, and most patients were asymptomatic, with a median size of 8 mm (range, 4–30), with no gender difference. Moreover, inlet patch size was not associated with presence of symptoms. Evidence of malignancy in the biopsied inlet patches was not observed.