Metaplasia intestinale gastrica nel cane e nel gatto : una lesione preneoplastica?

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is defined as the replacement of gastric mucous cells with an epithelium similar to that of the small intestine. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate presence, type of gastric IM and possible association with carcinoma in histologic examinations of endoscopic gastric biopsy specimens obtained from 170 dogs and 50 cats. IM was found in 28 dogs (16,5%) and 5 cats (10%). Gastric carcinoma was associated with IM in four dogs and one cat. In 2 dogs repeated endoscopy with biopsy sampling showed progression of IM towards carcinoma in one case and complete regression in the other case. The understanding of the role of IM in gastric carcinogenesis in small animals needs further studies. Nonetheless, the results obtained suggest the necessity of endoscopic and histologic reevaluation of patients with gastric IM.