Inflammation and Specialized Intestinal Metaplasia of Cardiac Mucosa Is a Manifestation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

The findings of cardiac mucosa, carditis, and intestinal metaplasia in an endoscopically normal-appearing gastroesophageal junction are histologic indicators of gastroesophageal reflux disease. These findings may be among the earliest signs of gastroesophageal reflux and contribute to the authors understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease process.