Question:
Would someone explain what is Barrett's Mucosa

Can someone please tell me what Barrett's mucosa & Hyperemia is? I'd like to know how it relates to GERD and if it would have an impact on having the WLS. I requested the results of the EDG I had done in November 2001, and these were the findings...I'm really "concerned"...    — yourdivaness (posted on April 2, 2002)

April 2, 2002
I am not too sure about the "mucosa" part but Barretts Esophagus is the presence of pre-cancerous cells in the lining of the stomach or esophagus. When I had my EGD for pre op testing, they noted, "'Lower Esphogus': Fragment of gastric type mucosa showing mild chronic active inflammation and villiform formation of surface epithelium, the latter may be seen with the early change of Barrett's Esophagus." Basically, the Endo doctor told me that I may have the early stages of Barrett's and to have it checked out yearly. Not only did it not hinder my having WLS, it encouraged surgery because the weight loss and healthier eating habits will help Barrett's. The doctor also explained another procedure they do for someone with Barrett's. They remove lining from the stomach and attach it to the "infected" area. He wanted to discuss that more but when I told him about the WLS, he said nevermind beacause the WLS would take care of the Barrett's. Sure enough, when I went for my yearly EGD, there was absolutely no evidence of Barrett's. The endo doctor told me to have another endoscopy this year to confirm and then not to even worry about it. I hope that this helps. ~ Jeanne
   — Jeannet

April 2, 2002
I did a search in WebMD for those words, and this is what I came up with: hyperemia- an excess of blood in a part. Barrett's esophagus- A change in the cells of the tissue that lines the bottom of the esophagus. The esophagus may become irritated when the contents of the stomach back up (reflux). Reflux that happens often over a long period of time can lead to Barrett's esophagus. --Hope this was of some help.
   — Jennifer Y.

April 2, 2002
My husband has Barret's Syndrome. The way his dr explained it was that when you have gastric reflux over a long period of time the mucosa (lining) at the juncture of the esophagus and stomach is exposed to stomach acids more than it is designed to be. Since your body "adapts" to change, the cells at the bottom of the esophagus start to mutate, to become more like the cells in the stomach. While that does help prevent ulceration, the cells sometimes make mistakes in changing. Sometimes that results in cells that multiply out of control (cancer). That is why it is important to control GERD so you reduce the chance that those cells will mutate or change and thus make a mistake. From what I have seen on this site, most people who have the surgery are relieved of their GERD because it is no longer physically possible for the stomach acid to back up into the esophagus (at least with rny--not sure about DS and others). Hope this helps!
   — ctyst