online medical dictionary | definition of Barrett

<person>

A British physician, *1903.

See: adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus, Barrett's oesophagus, Barrett's epithelium, Barrett's syndrome.

(05 Mar 2000)

Columnar oesophageal epithelium seen in Barrett's syndrome.

(05 Mar 2000)

<gastroenterology> A disorder in which the lining of the oesophagus undergoes cellular changes in response to chronic irritation and inflammation of reflux oesophagitis. This condition is more common in men than women. The patient with Barrett's oesophagus is at an increased risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus.

Symptoms are similar to those of reflux oesophagitis and include heartburn, difficulty swallowing and pain relief with antiacid use or eating. The diagnosis of Barrett's is made by a biopsy of the oesophageal mucosa through a endoscope.

Treatment includes control of reflux disease, weight reduction and avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, fatty foods and lying flat after eating. Close follow-up is recommended to be certain the individual does not develop cancer of the oesophagus.

There is a replacement of the squamous epithelium with columnar metaplasia in lower oesophagus, incidence: 2-10% of patients with reflux oesophagitis, associated with adenocarcinoma in 8-10% findings: large deep ulceration with or without stricture at distal/mid oesophagus, fine reticular pattern, commonly with reflux.

American spelling: Barrett's esophagus

(27 Feb 2009)

<syndrome>

Chronic peptic ulceration of the lower oesophagus, which is lined by columnar epithelium, resembling the mucosa of the gastric cardia, acquired as a result of long-standing chronic oesophagitis; oesophageal stricture with reflux, and adenocarcinoma, also have been reported.

Synonyms: Barrett's oesophagus.

(05 Mar 2000)