Introduction

Although histologic criteria for the assesment of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus were proposed in 1988, these have remained largely untested and were not correlated with outcome. A comprehensive multi-institutional study originating from Johns Hopkins to test the application of these histologic criteria and assess inter and intra-observer variability using Kappa statistics was recently completed and included a consensus meeting in which criteria were refined. We studied 250 Barrett's esophagus cases with varying degrees of dysplasia and were able to obtain follow-up information on 138 of the patients. To evaluate both inter and intra-observer variability in diagnoses, the 250 slides were each circulated twice to each of the 12 pathologists, so 24 diagnoses were rendered on each case.

Pathologists Participating in Study

The 12 participating pathologists who reviewed the cases were:

Elizabeth Montgomery, MD: Johns Hopkins University
Mary P. Bronner, MD: University of Washington
John R. Goldblum, MD: Cleveland Clinic
Joel K. Greenson, MD: University of Michigan
Marian M. Haber, MD: Hahnemann University
Laura W. Lamps, MD: University of Arkansas
Gregory Y. Lauwers, MD: University of Florida
Audrey J. Lazenby, MD: University of Alabama
David N. Lewin, MD: Medical University of South Carolina
Marie E. Robert, MD: Yale University
Alicia Y. Toledano, ScD: University of Chicago
Kay Washington, MD, PhD: Vanderbilt University
John Hart, MD: University of Chicago