Prevalence, clinical manifestations, and treatment of esophageal inlet patch

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, symptoms, and treatment of inlet patch (IP) in light of the literature. Materials and methods: Between July 2020 and January 2022, among the 1,926 patients, a total of 48 patients (21 males, 27 females; mean age: 41.1±14.2 years; range, 18 to 82 years) who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy were included in the study. After defining the IP, the size of the IP was measured using an endoscope shaft. Following measurement, biopsy specimens were taken and the type of gastric mucosa and the presence of Helicobacter pylori in IP were evaluated. Results: The mean IP diameter was 8.96±5.8 mm (range, 3-30 mm), with a maximum of two patches in the same case. Fourteen (29.2%) of the patients with IP were symptomatic. Of the symptomatic patients, eight (57.1%) were male and six (42.9%) were female. The most common presenting symptom was dysphagia (18.8%). The biopsies taken from the IP mucosa revealed that the most frequently detected mucosal type was oxyntic and 12 (25%) patients were positive for Helicobacter pylori . Conclusion: Patients presenting with dysphagia, globus sensation, unexplained chronic cough, and painful swallowing should be carefully examined for cervical esophageal IP. Sedating the patients and evaluating the esophagus with optical chromoendoscopy, if possible, will improve the detection rate of IPs. Proton pump inhibitors may be a good option for symptomatic patients.