Reflux esophagitis and duodenogastric reflux.

The authors studied the endoscopic and histological characteristics of 65 asymptomatic subjects, of 14 patients with gastroesophageal acid reflux (AR), of 11 patients with bile gastroesophageal reflux (BR) and of 10 patients with acid-biliary gastroesophageal reflux (ABR). Endoscopic pictures corresponding to esophagitis were found in 5 controls, in 4 patients with AR, in 9 patients with BR and in 7 cases with ABR. Histological esophagitis has been demonstrated in 13 controls, 4 cases with AR, 6 cases of BR and 5 cases with ABR. Endoscopic findings were confirmed histologically in 20% of controls, 33% of AR, 55% of BR and 57% of ABR. Bile seems therefore to be the prevalent factor in determining the reflux esophagitis.