Peptic ulcers are focal defects in the gastric or duodenal mucosa which extend into the submucosa or deeper, as seen under laboratory microscopes. They may be acute or chronic, and ultimately are caused by an imbalance be¬tween the action of peptic acid and mucosal defenses. Peptic ulcer remains a common outpatient diagnosis, but the number […]

The condition whereby the tubular esophagus is lined with columnar epithelium rather than squamous epithelium was first described by Norman Barrett in 1950. He incorrectly believed it to be congenital in origin. It is now realized that it is an acquired abnormality, occurs in 7 to 10% of patients with GERD, and represents the end […]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease that accounts for approximately 75% of esophageal pathology when tissues are examined under laboratory microscopes. Despite its high prevalence, it can be one of the most challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problems in benign esophageal disease. A contribut¬ing factor to this is the lack of a universally accepted […]

The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by the uncontrolled secretion of abnormal amounts of gastrin by a pancreatic or duo¬denal neuroendocrine tumor (i.e., gastrinoma), as seen under laboratory microscopes. Most cases (80%) are sporadic, but 20% are inherited. The inherited or familial form of gastrinoma is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN I), […]

Pathogenesis and Prevention
Gastritis is a mucosal inflammation of the membrane lining of the stomach. It may result in an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach, distention of the abdomen, headache, nausea, coated tongue, and a bad taste in the mouth. In severe cases, all these symptoms will be worse, and there will be upper abdominal pain, […]