PMC3350028_01
RFA catheter deflated inside the esophagus after the first ablating session. On the right is clearly visible the greyish ablated mucosa.
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fig1
The RFA procedure started moving from distally to proximally, and the balloon was progressively repositioned allowing a very small overlap with the previous treated zone (Figure 1).
CLE image and histologic aspect (trasversal section) of the proximal treated esophageal area. Normal squamous esophagus showing individual epithelial cells and intrapapillary capillary loops.
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fig2
The capillary loops within the papillae were visible due to the high contrast of the fluorescein within the vascular structures, surrounded by normal epithelial cells (Figures 2 and 3).
CLE image of the treated esophageal area, middle portion. Normal squamous esophagus showing individual epithelial cells and intrapapillary capillary loops.
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fig3
The capillary loops within the papillae were visible due to the high contrast of the fluorescein within the vascular structures, surrounded by normal epithelial cells (Figures 2 and 3).
CLE image and histologic aspect (trasversal section) of the untreated esophageal zone: columnar lined epithelium with presence of focal mucin goblet cells (arrows), pathognomonic of gastric type mucosae with focal intestinal metaplasia.
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fig4
In that case, the CLE revealed regular-shape subepithelial capillaries underneath a columnar-lined epithelium with presence of focal dark mucin goblet cells in the upper parts of the mucosal layer (Figure 4).