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Full‐layer mucosal histology in achalasia: Histological epithelial wave is characteristic in “pinstripe pattern”‐positive achalasia
Author(s) -
Sato H.,
Takahashi K.,
Nakajima N.,
Hasegawa G.,
Mizuno K.,
Hashimoto S.,
Ikarashi S.,
Hayashi K.,
Honda Y.,
Yokoyama J.,
Sato Y.,
Terai S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.13168
Subject(s) - achalasia , medicine , submucosa , histology , gastroenterology , biopsy , esophagus , pathology , dysphagia , radiology
Background Previously, the mucosal histology in achalasia has only been investigated using superficial biopsy or surgically resected esophageal specimens in end‐stage cases. We investigated the histology of the full‐layer mucosa in early and advanced achalasia. Methods Endoscopy was performed for the pinstripe pattern ( PSP ) (an early achalasia indicator) and dilation and thickening of the mucosa (advanced achalasia indicators). A mucosal entry site for peroral endoscopic myotomy was created using cap‐fitted endoscopic mucosal resection to access the full‐layer mucosa and the submucosa. Key Results Mucosal histology was compared between 32 patients with achalasia and 15 controls. Histological esophagitis with findings of inflammatory cell infiltration and dilated intercellular spaces was observed more in patients with achalasia than in controls (87.5% vs 13.3%, P <.001; 84.4% vs 46.7%, P =.049). Muscularis mucosae ( MM ) atrophy and epithelial wave were only observed in achalasia (40.6% vs 0%, P =.005; 28.1% vs 0%, P =.043). Fibrosis was more common in achalasia, but without statistical significance (31.3% vs 20.0%, P =.503). In achalasia with endoscopic dilation and thickening of the mucosa, MM atrophy was observed histologically, and in cases involving endoscopic PSP , the histological epithelial wave was observed. Conclusions & Inferences Histological findings of esophagitis were observed endoscopically even in early achalasia. Pinstripe pattern corresponds to the epithelial wave observed histologically in achalasia, whereas endoscopic findings in advanced achalasia correspond to MM atrophy. Appropriate management is necessary during early achalasia to prevent progression to advanced achalasia with more severe histological changes.