How do you approach a referral for findings of intestinal metaplasia on a biopsy of an irregular z-line?
Answer from: at Academic Institution
If there is Intestinal metaplasia on a biopsy of irregular z-line, then we call it specialized intestinal metaplasia of GEJunction. This is not Barrett's esophagus and does not require surveillance.
It is true that intestinal metaplasia of the GEJ is not Barrett's esophagus but it increases the risk of cancer like it is in the stomach. In the last 5-10 years, it has attracted more attention. Now, pathologists are starting to describe complete vs incomplete intestinal metaplasia. A good study wi...