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Images of Barrett’s esophagus with Low-grade dysplasia
In low grade dysplasia, epithelial abnormalities extend
onto the mucosal surface. The nuclei appear hyperchromatic, elongated,
stratified, crowded, and may display loss of mucin production.
Low grade dysplasia is characterized by cells with enlarged,
hyperchromatic, elongated, stratified nuclei that extend onto the mucosal
surface. Typically there is decrease in the amount of mucin present
– a feature which can best be appreciated at low power.
Loss of goblet cells can best be seen at low power in
dysplastic areas. |
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In dysplasia, the nuclear atypia extends onto the mucosal
surface. Compare a biopsy with no evidence of dysplasia (on the left) with
one that we felt represented low grade dysplasia (on the right).
Other phenotypes of dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus
While it is more common to see mucosal surface involvement
in combination with atypical deeper glands, situations may arise where
only the mucosal surface demonstrates nuclear atypia while the deeper glands
appear normal.
The dysplastic epithelium is present only on the mucosal
surface with normal underlying glands. |
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A difficult phenotype of dyplasia to recognize occurs
when there is retention of apical mucin and basally oriented nuclei. At
low power, the biopsy may be called negative; however, at higher power,
obvious atypical nuclei can be demonstrated.
The abundant mucin seen at low power may cause elicit
a diagnosis of negative for dysplasia |
At higher power, however, obviously atypical nuclei can
be seen at the mucosal surface, warranting a diagnosis of low grade dysplasia |
Additional examples we would interpret as low-grade dysplasia.
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