Esophageal inlet patch: Demographic and endoscopic characteristics of patients and review of the literature

The inlet patch (IP) is an island of heterotopic gastric mucosa and was first described by Schumidt in the cervical esophagus, but it’s pathogenesis has not been elucidated yet (1,2). Globus sensation, laryngopharengeal reflux and dysphagia are commonly reported symptoms of esophageal IP (3,4). Globus is a nonpainful sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat which frequently improves with eating and swallowing (5). Globus diagnosis requires the absence of structural lesions as esophageal IP, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or motor disorders. For this reason, the exclusion of IPs in the diBackground and Aims: An esophageal inlet patch is crucial in swallowing difficulty, laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms, and rarely in the etiology of proximal esophagus adenocarcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the endoscopic and demographic features of patients with esophageal inlet patch during endoscopic evaluation and compare them with those of the literature. Materials and Method: Between January 2017 and January 2021, we evaluated the age, gender ratio, inlet patch size, and number along with the other endoscopic findings in patients with proximal esophageal inlet patch. Results: Overall, 53 patients (women, 36 (68%); mean age, 46.3 ± 15.8 years; range, 19–83 years) were included the study. Only 13 patients (24.5%) had specific symptoms of esophageal inlet patch. The median esophageal inlet patch size was 7.0 mm in women (range, 4–30), while it was 8 mm (range, 5–20) in men. The median inlet patch number was 1 in both sexes (range, 1–3 in women, 1–2 in men). Forceps biopsy was possible in 30 (56.6%) patients. We found no additional esophageal pathology in 45 (84.9%) patients, normal lower esophageal sphincter in 39 (73.5%), incompetent lower esophageal sphincter in 14 (26.4%), hiatal diaphragmatic hernia in 1 (1.8%), and endoscopic antral gastritis in 29 (55.7%) patients. Twelve (54.5%) of 22 endoscopic biopsies were positive for Helicobacter pylori. We detected esophageal inlet patch in the distal esophagus in 2 (3.7%) patients. Conclusion: Esophageal inlet patch was more common in women, unrelated to gastroesophageal reflux disease, and most patients were asymptomatic, with a median size of 8 mm (range, 4–30), with no gender difference. Moreover, inlet patch size was not associated with presence of symptoms. Evidence of malignancy in the biopsied inlet patches was not observed.