Objectives: An inlet patch (IP) is defined as heterotopic gastric mucosa located in the proximal esophagus. Little information is available in children. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess clinical significance, endoscopic and histological characteristics, and natural history of IP in children.
Patients and methods: This retrospective multicenter study included all of the cases of IP recorded in 7 tertiary French pediatric gastrointestinal centers. Information about demographics, clinical symptoms, endoscopic characteristics, histology, treatment, and evolution was collected.
Results: Fifteen children were included (8 boys, 7 girls). The median age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 3.3-15 years). Five children had esophageal atresia and 9 had gastroesophageal reflux. Only 1 child was asymptomatic. Digestive symptoms (dysphagia, food impaction) were noted in 14 patients and respiratory or ear, nose, and throat symptoms in 6. At endoscopy, IP was characterized by a small, round salmon-pink lesion of the proximal esophagus. Helicobacter pylori was found in 2 patients. Proton pump inhibitor treatment was initiated in 14 children for a mean duration of 4.7 months (range 1-12 months). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 5 patients and decreased in 3 others. One case of hematemesis was noted after a mean follow-up of 9 months. Recurrent symptoms were noted in 2 patients after treatment discontinuation.
Conclusions: IP is an uncommon but almost certainly underrecognized lesion in children, and may be the cause of digestive and respiratory symptoms in some children.