Marked reduction in the number of white globe appearance lesions in the noncancerous stomach after exchanging vonoprazan for esomeprazole treatment: a follow-up case report

Recently, an association has been suggested between development of white globe appearance lesions in the noncancerous stomach and treatment with a potassium-competitive acid blocker or a proton pump inhibitor. We previously reported two cases with development of white globe appearance lesions after vonoprazan treatment, suggesting a similar association. Here, we present the follow-up report of one of those two cases, concerning a 68-year-old woman who developed multiple white globe appearance lesions 1 year after starting vonoprazan treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease leading to esophageal stricture. The patient refused to continue vonoprazan treatment after the lesions developed, and esomeprazole was initiated instead. Three months later, most of the white globe appearance lesions had disappeared, without worsening of her gastroesophageal reflux disease. Histologically, mucosal structural changes induced by vonoprazan, such as parietal cell protrusion with oxyntic gland dilatation, remained unchanged, whereas the gastric glands became less packed and a small calcification in the concentrated eosinophilic material was observed in a remaining white globe appearance cyst after esomeprazole treatment. Here, we discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms of these dramatic gastric mucosal changes observed in the present case, based on our endoscopic and histological findings.

Automated summary

In this study, follow-up was conducted on a 68-year-old female who developed multiple white globe appearance lesions after vonoprazan treatment for severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. Following cessation of vonoprazan and initiation of esomeprazole, most lesions disappeared without worsening of the primary condition. This case highlights potential pathogenic mechanisms behind dramatic gastric mucosal changes seen in response to treatment.