[Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper gastrointestinal tract: endoscopic incidence, appearance and clinical significance].

Heterotopia is understood as the occurrence of locally atypical tissue. Heterotopic gastric mucosa may occur throughout the whole GI-tract. In an unselected series of upper GI-endoscopies 6.3% of heterotopic gastric mucosa could be detected. Main localisation was the upper esophagus with 70%, followed by the duodenal bulb with approximately 25%. In 86% histological proof of ectopic mucosa was possible. In the esophagus the lesion looks like a red spot, in the duodenal bulb in contrast more like polypoid formations without discoloration. In our experience there is no significant relation of heterotopic mucosa to clinical symptoms. The clinical significance of heterotopic gastric mucosa however may be underscored by its possible complications.