Endoscopic Appearance of the Gastroesophageal Valve and Competence of the Cardia

Abstract

The endoscopic appearance of the gastroesophageal valve, viewed by the retroflexed gastroscope, has been studied in 51 patients with and without reflux esophagitis. Esophagitis was graded according to its severity, and the yield pressure (YP) was measured in all patients to assess the competence of the cardia. There was a close relationship between the YP and the grades of the gastroesophageal valve. YP was significantly lower in patients with endoscopic oesophagitis than in patients with no evidence of reflux esophagitis (p <0.0001). An increased abnormality of the gastroesophageal valve was associated with all grades of esophagitis and with a low YP. The valve mechanism at the cardia has an important role in determining its competence. YP is possibly a measure of the flap valve component of the gastroesophageal junction.

Association between the Body Mass Index and the Risk of Barrett's Esophagus in Japan

“…Hiatal hernia was also endoscopically diagnosed when the apparent separation between the squamocolumnar junction and the diaphragmatic impression was >2 cm [34]. …”

Gallstones increase the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus

“…The presence/absence of hiatus hernia was examined by the valvular appearance of the cardia visualized from below using the retroflexed endoscope during gastric inflation [32].…”

Subclassification of superficial cardia cancer in relation to the endoscopic esophagogastric junction

“…Studies of the features of the mucosal characteristics of patients with cardia adenocarcinoma are scarce. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between the location of adenocarcinoma and mucosal appearance, such as atrophic gastric mucosa, 9 valvular appearance of the cardia, 10 hiatus hernia 11 and reflux esophagitis 12 in patients with superficial cardia adenocarcinoma. These evaluations may assist in understanding the mucosal background of the carcinogenesis and early diagnosis of cardia cancer.…”