Usefulness of Cytokeratin CK7 and CK20 in the Diagnosis of Barrett's Esophagus (BE)

Abstract

Diagnosis of BE is hinged on the presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and inflammation in the lower esophagus. However IM can occur in the cardia and lower esophagus following reflux and helicobacter infection. The special stain for demonstrating intestinal metaplasia cannot distinguish IM in BE and that in cardia or lower esophagus due to other causes(1). Quite often biopsies labeled lower esophagus by the endoscopist may in fact be from the cardia especially in cases where the gastro-esophageal junction is indistinct.