NEUROSURGERY
BARRX

Barretts esophagus is a condition that affects the lower end of the esophagus just before it connects to the stomach. In this condition the lining of the esophagus becomes different from the normal esophageal lining. This abnormality can change over time into a malignancy. Please refer to a recent article in the The New England Journal of Medicine that discusses Barretts Esophagus and it's treatment in detail. One of the treatment for BE is an ablation procedure by a device that cauterizes the abnormal tissues of the lower esophagus to eliminate the risk of cancer forming. When used correctly, this device called BARRX can eliminate the abnormal tissues of the lower esophagus and prevent any cancerous changes. If used incorrectly, severe problems can develop that can result in damage to the esophagus that led to strictures or narrowing of the esophagus. These problems may require further treatment such as esophageal dilatations or in the worst case, surgical resection of the esophagus. Cases in which the esophagus becomes damaged should be evaluated as to the indications for the procedure and the way in which the procedure was performed.