Relationship between the epithelium and connective tissue at different stages of healing of chemical burns of the esophagus]

The interaction between the epithelial and connective-tissue structures was studied on 70 scarry changes in the oesophagus at various times (from 1 year to 45 years) following chemical burns. As sclerotic alterations progressed, proliferation of the layers of the stratified squamous epithelium decreased, which was particularly evident in the zones of strictures of the lumen of the damaged oesophagus. Exacerbation of inflammation due to repeated traumatization of the oesophagus wall was accompanied by proliferation of the epithelial layers. Only 25-30 years after the burns in the proliferative layers of the epithelium there were noted signs of atypia. The chronic inflammation was accompanied by marked lympho-plasmocytic infiltrations. This may indicate to concomitance of chronic oesophagitis with manifestations of autoimmune reactions.