Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its sequela, Barrett's oesophagus, are the major recognized risk factors for oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a tumour whose frequency has increased dramatically in Western countries over the past few decades. Barrett's oesophagus develops through the process of metaplasia in which one adult cell type replaces another. The metaplastic, intestinal-type cells of B...

EDITORIAL SYNOPSIS Chagas disease due to a trypanosome infection may lead to extensive destruction of ganglion cells in the peripheral autonomic system and may result in gross enlargement of the oesophagus, colon, and heart. From studies on nerve cell counts it is concluded that the number of ganglion cells in the oesophagus must be reduced to less than half to produce functional disturbances i...

Abstract Introduction Megaoesophagus, dilatation of the oesophagus, is a recognised late complication achalasia cardia, Chagas disease and, less commonly, dysmotility disorders. Megaoesophagus often presents with dysphagia, regurgitation food and chest pain. Here, we describe case patient presenting stridor secondary to chronic in absence dysphagia. Case Report An 85-year-old female presented E...

The normal mechanism of preventing the reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus has been studied intensely, but no hypothesis is so easy to prove and understand that it has obtained universal acceptance (Allison, 1956; Barrett, 1954; Botha, Astley, and Carre, 1957; Marchand, 1955). Methods of prevention of reflux which has resulted in oesophageal pathology are therefore variable. Reflux i...

The stomatogastric system of Arenicola marina L. is in the form of a plexus of nerve-bundles connecting the supra-oesophageal ganglia and the circum-oesophageal commissures with a ring ganglion situated in the gut wall at the anterior limit of the oesophagus; the plexus continues down the length of the oesophagus. Numerous sense cells occur in the epithelium of the proboscis and oesophagus. The...

Chagas disease due to a trypanosome infection may lead to extensive destruction of ganglion cells in the peripheral autonomic system and may result in gross enlargement of the oesophagus, colon, and heart. From studies on nerve cell counts it is concluded that the number of ganglion cells in the oesophagus must be reduced to less than half to produce functional disturbances in the oesophagus an...