Abstract
A 54-year-old woman suffering from dysphagia occasionally for about ten years was admitted. On admission, physical examination and laboratory findings revealed no abnormalities. Upper gastrointestinal X-ray examination revealed a stenotic lesion in the lower esophagus. There was no hiatal hernia. Esophagoscopic examination revealed a stricture at 40cm distal to the incisors. The lower part of the stricture was lined by a reddish mucosa, and a scarred esophageal ulcer was observed there. The biopsy specimens from the reddish mucosa showed columnar epithelium and inflammatory change. The transition line between columnar and squamous epithelium is irregular. With the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus she had been treated with antacid for about two years. However, her symptoms became worse, and the stenotic lesion was resected surgically. There was no evidence of malignancy. This case suggests that Barrett's esophagus may be an acquired condition.
