A CASE OF BARRETT'S ULCER TREATED EFFECTIVELY WITH CIMETIDINE

Abstract

A case of Barrett's ulcer treated effectively with Cimetidine was reported. The patient was 76-year-old female, and she admitted to our hospital with a complaint of dysphagia. Laboratory findings on admission showed no abnormality except high secretion of gastric acid and pepsin by stimulation of gastrin. Radiological and endo-scopical findings showed shallow ulcerations surrounded by redness, erosion and bleeding in lower esophagus with hiatal hernia. Biopsy specimen taken from ulceration of the esophagus disclosed columnar-lined epithelium. The patient was diagnosed to have Barrett's ulcer of the esophagus. Lower esophageal shincter pressure by station pull-through method and 24 hour esophageal pH monitouring revealed objective evidence of gastroesophageal ref lux. These findings suggest that etiology of Barrett's epithelium and Barrett's ulcer might be correlated with gastroesophageal reflux. Esophageal inflammation and ulcers healed within 2 weeks of Cimetidine treatment as documented by endoscopy. Esophageal stricture did not respond to Cimetidine. It is concluded that Cimetidine is helpful in treating the inflammed mucosa in patient with Barrett's ulcer.