We demonstrate the development and validation of new pCLE criteria for the prediction of HGD/cancer in BE patients. Using these criteria, this study demonstrated that overall accuracy in predicting dysplasia was high with substantial interobserver agreement. After a structured teaching session, accuracy and agreement between experienced and non-experienced observers was not different, suggesting a short learning curve.

If computed tomographic colonography (CTC) rather than colonoscopy were used in this population, assuming 100% sensitivity of CTC for polyps > or =6 mm and ACR interpretation recommendations, then 29% of all patients and 33% of screening patients age > or =50 years with high-risk adenoma findings would be interpreted as normal, and an additional 18-23% of these groups with high-risk adenoma findings, respectively, could have polypectomy delayed at least 3 years.

No abstract

Patients with Barrett’s esophagus are frequently treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Those that undergo this procedure have a low risk of developing subsquamous intestinal metaplasia, and none have been reported to develop subsquamous dysplasia or cancer. We report the development of subsquamous neoplasia in 3 patients who were treated with RFA for Barrett’s esophagus (2 developed adenocarcinoma and 1 developed high-grade dysplasia). The identification of these cases indicates the need for continued surveillance following RFA, even after complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia, and caution for widespread use of ablation, especially in patients with low-risk Barrett’s esophagus.