DUCTS OF ESOPHAGEAL GLANDS PROPER AND PANETH CELLS IN BARRETTS-ESOPHAGUS - FREQUENCY IN BIOPSY SPECIMENS

The frequency of ducts of esophageal glands proper and Paneth cells wa s studied in endoscopic biopsy specimens obtained from 49 patients dia gnosed as having Barrett's esophagus. Esophageal gland ducts were foun d in 5 (10%) of the subjects. Paneth cells were observed in 15 (31%) o f the 49 patients, being located mainly among mucous cells of intestin alized crypts although a few were also noted in the surface epithelium . Since the presence of esophageal gland ducts in the columnar epithel ium-lined mucosa is a pathognomonic feature of Barrett's esophagus, 10 % of the patients reviewed were considered to have an unequivocal diag nosis of Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's mucosa showed histological fea tures similar to incomplete-type intestinal metaplasia of gastric muco sa, except for the presence of Paneth cells.