BACKGROUND Barrett's oesophagus, columnar metaplasia of the epithelium, is a premalignant condition with a 50-100-fold increased risk of cancer. The condition is caused by chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux. Regression of metaplasia may decrease the cancer risk. AIMS To determine whether elimination of acid gastro-oesophageal reflux induces a regression of metaplastic epithelium. METHODS Six...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus at the University Hospital of the West Indies which serves a population predominantly of African descent. In order to maximize accession of all cases in this preliminary study, the broad definition of columnar metaplasia of the lower oesophagus was utilized. Nevertheless, of 18 cases identified in the 21-year period, 14...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) may have a pathogenic role in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Tylosis, an inherited thickening of the skin of the palms and soles, was associated with a high risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus among members of a large family in Liverpool. The resected carcinomas of the oesophagus was examined from four such patients with DNA probes...

Instrumental perforation of the oesophagus is a serious and, unfortunately, not a very rare accident. The occurrence in addition of perforation of a duodenal ulcer constitutes a situation which is rare, difficult to diagnose, and fraught with great danger to the patient. Simultaneous perforation of multiple peptic ulcers has been described in several reports since that of Finney (1900). As pept...