Cervical inlet patch: case series and literature review.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa patch (HGMP) has been reported to occur in various parts of the gastrointestinal system from mouth to anus. Extra-gastrointestinal locations have also been reported. Presence of ectopic gastric mucosa has been associated with complications such as ulceration, bleeding, perforations and malignant transformations. Most complications are probably related to acid production. Meckel diverticulum is the most commonly reported ectopic location. Similarly, esophageal HGMP, also known as cervical inlet patch (CIP), has been increasingly reported. Nonspecific oropharyngeal symptoms are common and thought to be due to laryngopharyngeal reflux. CIP is often missed due to its location in the esophagus, just distal to the upper esophageal sphincter, making endoscopic evaluation difficult. Hence the condition is most likely to be under-reported. This article presents a series of five cases of CIP and discusses the pathogenesis, clinical presentations and management of this interesting entity.