Clinical Manifestations and Esophageal Complications of GERD

This report focuses on the manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that are caused directly by contact between refluxed gastric juice and the esophageal mucosa. These manifestations include heartburn, peptic esophageal erosion and ulceration, peptic esophageal stricture, and Barrett esophagus. Peptic esophageal erosions and ulcerations are excavated defects in the esophageal mucosa that result when epithelial cells succumb to the caustic effects of refluxed acid and pepsin. Uncommonly, esophageal ulcers are complicated by hemorrhage, perforation, and penetration into the airway. Esophageal ulcers can stimulate fibrous tissue production and collagen deposition that result in stricture formation, and the ulcers can heal through a metaplastic process in which an intestinal-type epithelium replaces the damaged squamous cells (Barrett esophagus). The management of these conditions is discussed below.