Clinical strategies -- interactive case discussions.

Interactive case discussions held during the symposium illustrate the practical challenges and dilemmas faced in the management of Barrett's oesophagus. Opinions of the faculty and audience varied widely on how proton pump inhibitor therapy should be used, especially in patients with short-segment Barrett's oesophagus. The therapeutic goal that received most support was to achieve sufficient acid control to keep the patient symptom free and heal any oesophagitis. At the same time, the patient should be reassured of the low risk associated with the endoscopic findings. When long-segment Barrett's oesophagus is detected, it should be assessed in detail, with targeted biopsy of any irregular-surfaced metaplastic mucosa and four quadrant biopsies every 2 cm, to diagnose intestinal metaplasia and to screen for dysplasia or cancer. Repeat endoscopy and biopsy may be appropriate to achieve a sensitive initial assessment because of potential sampling error. Proton pump inhibitor therapy, often twice daily, was considered a requirement for most cases of long-segment Barrett's oesophagus. There was disagreement over the role of surveillance, although proponents viewed it as worthwhile even in patients at low risk for the development of adenocarcinoma, mainly for medico-legal reasons. Endoscopic mucosal resection was seen to be appropriate in carefully selected patients with high-grade dysplasia, depending on factors such as age and comorbidity, the extent of high-grade dysplasia, findings on endoscopic ultrasound and the length of Barrett's oesophagus.