Spontaneous perforation in the ringed esophagus

A 54-year-old man presented to the ER with chest pain. He underwent an upper endoscopy revealing a large linear esophageal tear and a CT chest showed free air in the mediastinum. He was managed conservatively and was discharged 2 days later. An UGI series revealed a distal esophageal stricture. He was commenced on esomeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and his dysphagia improved significantly. Upper endoscopy revealed multiple rings throughout the esophagus. Biopsies from the distal and mid-esophagus were normal. The underlying pathophysiology, in patients with dysphagia and a ringed esophagus has evoked debate in the literature. Opinions range from underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to eosinophilic esophagitis (EE). Our patient's symptoms of GERD and dysphagia resolved with proton pump inhibitor therapy. Normal histology excluded underlying EE. There have been a few case reports of esophageal perforation in patients with a ringed esophagus, and underlying EE, but none with spontaneous perforation occurring in a 'ringed esophagus'. Perforations in the upper and mid-esophagus can usually be managed conservatively, while those in the distal esophagus often need surgery due to the high risk of developing mediastinitis. However, our patient, despite sustaining a large tear in the distal esophagus, did well with conservative management. This case demonstrates that spontaneous perforation in the ringed esophagus, with normal underlying histology can occur in the distal esophagus and may not require surgery.     

Combined modality therapy for basaloid squamous carcinoma of the esophagus

A 61 year-old woman came to our hospital with dysphasia that had persisted for 2 months. Endoscopy and barium swallow showed a protruding tumor, about 6.0 cm long, in the midportion of the esophagus. A biopsy specimen showed squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed adventitial involvement and lymph node metastases beneath the carina. After 2 courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) 100 mg for 1 day, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) 800 mg for 5 days, and leucovorin 30 mg for 5 days, complete regression of the tumor was observed by endoscopy and barium esophagography. Transthoracic esophagectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Histologically, the muscle layers of the resected esophagus had been replaced by fibrous tissue; however, small foci of basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) were found in the submucosa. Six months after surgery, a CT scan revealed a metastatic lymph node around the right main bronchus. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy resulted in the disappearance of the metastasis. The patient has survived for more than 3 years since surgery with a good quality of life.     

Leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus: report of a case and preoperative evaluation by CT scan, endoscopic ultrasonography and angiography.

A case of esophageal leiomyosarcoma, for which CT scan, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and angiography were employed for preoperative diagnosis is reported. CT scan identified an exophytic mass which had no rim-enhancement in the lower end of the esophagus. EUS revealed a homogeneous mass originating from the muscularis propria. Angiography showed a mildly hypervascular tumor. Histologically, the resected specimen was a leiomyosarcoma. These results suggest that the evaluation by EUS combined with CT scan and angiography is useful in differentiating smooth muscle tumors from other submucosal tumors.     

A case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ring-like discoloration in the lower end of the esophagus

We report the case of a 15-year-old Japanese boy with eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The patient complained of abdominal pain and watery diarrhea and had a history of allergic rhinitis. Laboratory data on admission showed leukocytosis with remarkable eosinophilia. Microscopic examination of the biopsied specimens taken from the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, lower ileum and colon showed eosinophilic infiltration. Especially in the lower esophagus, there was a ring-like discoloration with remarkable eosinophil infiltration. We diagnosed eosinophilic gastroenteritis and his clinical symptoms and eosinophilia improved following starting corticosteroid therapy. After 5 months therapy with prednisolone, discoloration of upper digestive tract disappeared. There have been no reports describing discoloration in the lower end of the esophagus seen by gastroscopy.     

Circumferential mucosal dissection and esophageal perforation in a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis

A young man with a previous history of episodes of mild solid food dysphagia was admitted with a total dysphagia. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGDS） showed an extensive disruption of mucosal layer with a cul-desac in the lower part of the esophagus. Soon after the procedure, the patient suffered from an acute chest pain and subsequent CT scan demonstrated an intramural circumferential dissection of thoracic esophagus, and a mediastinal emphysema. An emergency right thoracotomy was performed, followed by a total esophagectomy with esophagogastroplasty and jejunostomy. The histopathology confirmed that mucosal and submucosal layers were circumferentially detached from muscular wall and showed an eosinophilic infiltration of the whole organ with necrosis and erosions of mucosal, submucosal and muscular layers. The diagnosis was esophageal perforation in eosinophilic esophagitis.     

Follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the esophagus detected by 18FDG PET/CT.

We report an unusual case of an esophageal metastasis demonstrated on integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning. A 55-year-old male with treated well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) had persistently raised thyroglobulin levels despite both negative whole-body CT scan and 131I scans. An initial 18FDG PET/CT scan showed moderate focal uptake in the esophagus, which was initially thought to be physiological. A subsequent comparative 18FDG PET/CT scan showed more intense uptake. A diagnostic endoscopy revealed a pedunculated esophageal polyp, which histological examination confirmed to be metastatic FTC. Such a case has not previously been reported.     

Giant liposarcoma of the esophagus: radiological findings.

This case of an esophageal liposarcoma illustrates a polypoid lesion within the esophagus that extended from the left pyriform sinus to the distal esophagus above the gastric cardia. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an inhomogenously-enhancing intraluminal mass, while video-fluoroscopy revealed that the mass was adherent to the esophageal wall and was associated with esophageal dilatation and diminished peristalsis. This ninth reported case of esophageal liposarcoma is the first described where preoperative radiologic studies and endoscopy showed broad fixation of the tumor to the esophageal wall.     

Electroanatomic reconstruction of the left atrium, pulmonary veins, and esophagus compared with the "true anatomy" on multislice computed tomography in patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Current concepts of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly use three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the left atrium (LA) for orientation, catheter navigation, and ablation line placement. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the 3D electroanatomic reconstruction (Carto) of the LA, pulmonary veins (PVs), and esophagus with the true anatomy displayed on multislice computed tomography (CT). METHODS: In this prospective study, 100 patients undergoing AF catheter ablation underwent contrast-enhanced spiral CT scan with barium swallow and subsequent multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. Using Carto, circumferential plus linear LA lesions were placed. The esophagus was tagged and integrated into the Carto map. RESULTS: Compared with the true anatomy on CT, the electroanatomic reconstruction accurately displayed the true distance between the lower PVs; the distances between left upper PV, left lower PV, right lower PV, and center of the esophagus; the longitudinal diameter of the encircling line around the funnel of the left PVs; and the length of the mitral isthmus line. Only the distances between the upper PVs, the distance between the right upper PV and esophagus, and the diameter of the right encircling line were significantly shorter on the electroanatomic reconstructions. Furthermore, electroanatomic tagging of the esophagus reliably visualized the true anatomic relationship to the LA. On multiple tagging and repeated CT scans, the LA and esophagus showed a stable anatomic relationship, without relevant sideward shifting of the esophagus. CONCLUSION: Electroanatomic reconstruction can display with high accuracy the true 3D anatomy of the LA and PVs in most of the regions of interest for AF catheter ablation. In addition, Carto was able to visualize the true anatomic relationship between the esophagus and LA. Both structures showed a stable anatomic relationship on Carto and CT without relevant sideward shifting of the esophagus.     

A case of diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis secondary to achalasia of the esophagus]

A 12-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of cough, sputum and increasing fever. Chest CT revealed ill-defined small round opacities located around the end of the bronchovascular branchings in almost all of the lung fields. These findings were compatible with diffuse panbronchiolities (DPB). On the other hand, the boy was diagnosed as having achalasia of the esophagus and fragments of food were observed in the bronchi by bronchoscopy. Repeated aspiration and infection due to achalasia are factors which brought about diffuse aspiration bronchiolitis (DAB).     

Flat-type papilloma of the esophagus: a case report

Squamous papilloma is an extremely rare benign tumor of the esophagus. We report a case in a 63-year-old woman who had no symptoms or any detectable human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Endoscopy showed that this squamous papilloma of the esophagus was unusual in form, being marginally elevated with a slightly irregular mucosal surface, and stainable with iodine. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed for both diagnosis and treatment. A commercial HPV detection test kit revealed no sign of any HPV infection.     

Pedunculated giant fibrolipoma of the esophagus: a case report

A 59-year-old man presented to our hospital with dysphagia. Esophagography and endoscopy demonstrated a large pedunculated tumor. CT scan and MRI showed a large esophageal tumor consisting of fatty tissue. The tumor was diagnosed as lipoma or liposarcoma of the esophagus, and esophagectomy was performed. Histological examination showed fibrolipoma with a vascular component. Lipomas of the esophagus are extremely rare and often become large before causing symptoms. Surgical or endoscopic resection is the preferred treatment. Treatment strategies are dependent on site, size, and characteristics of the peduncle.     

Inflammatory fibroid polyp of the esophagus

The case of a 76-year-old woman with a submucosal tumor of the esophagus, whose principal symptoms were dysphagia and epigastric/retrosternal pain, is reported here. Endoscopy, barium swallow and a CAT scan all pointed to extramucosal localization. The lesion was located in the lower esophagus lying on the stomach fundus. An ulcer in the region of the cardia complicated the tumor. Two sets of conventional biopsies failed to detect malignancy, only inflammation and intestinal metaplasia were seen in the specimens of the mucosa surrounding the ulcer. The endoscopic ultrasonographic findings were an indistinct margin, hypoechogenicity, homogeneous appearance and location within the second and third echographic layer. The surgical resection of the tumor was complemented by an anterior partial fundoplication. The histologic study revealed an inflammatory fibroid polyp, which is a rare, benign, non-capsulated submucosal lesion composed mainly of loose connective tissue and vessels, with an eosinophilic inflammatory component. This lesion is seldom found in the esophagus.     

Leiomyoma of the esophagus compressing the left atrium

An unusual case of leiomyoma of the middle third of the esophagus compressing the left atrium is reported. The patient was a 35-year-old man with a clinical picture mimicking pericarditis. 2-D echocardiography revealed a mediastinal mass. Leiomyoma of the esophagus was suspected on the basis of CT scan of the chest, MR study and esophagogram. The diagnosis was confirmed at operation and by histological examination.     

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus with metastasis to the brain: a case report

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus is a rare disease with early systemic metastasis, and the prognosis remains poor. This present case (a 60-year-old Japanese man) was a small cell carcinoma at the lower third of the esophagus complicated by multiple liver and brain metastases. After the first chemotherapy, endoscopic study showed significant shrinkage of the primary esophageal tumor. About 4 months later, however, a primary tumor formed a deep ulceration, and a CT scan of the abdomen also showed further progression of the liver metastases. One year after starting the therapy, a disturbance in the patient’s right eyesight and awkward movement of his right hand occurred. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed several high-density areas compatible with metastasis. Gamma knife radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors was carried out, and all tumors had shrunk. Unfortunately, the patient’s liver function deteriorated gradually because of the aggravation of liver metastases, and the patient died 1 year and 5 months from the time of diagnosis.     

嗜酸粒细胞性胃肠炎致血性腹水1例

嗜酸粒细胞性胃肠炎(eosinophilic gastroentertis,EG)是一种不明原因的罕见疾病,以周围血中嗜酸粒细胞增高及胃肠道局部或弥漫性嗜酸粒细胞浸润为特征.本文报道EG致血性腹水1例.患者,男,15岁,以恶心、呕吐、乏力、间断腹泻10d入院.化验检查显示血WBC18.28×109/L,嗜酸粒细胞57.61%.腹水血性,蛋白46g/L,白细胞7040×106/L,嗜酸性粒细胞68%,李凡它试验(+).彩超和CT示腹水和右半结肠管壁增厚.胃镜示重度多灶性红斑渗出性食管炎、胃炎和十二指肠炎,食管下段黏膜色泽晦暗,呈环形色素沉着和颗粒样增生.结肠镜示回肠末段、阑尾开口处及升结肠黏膜呈显著的水肿、肥厚、渗出、颗粒样增生和管腔狭窄等炎性改变.内镜活检病理示大量的嗜酸粒细胞浸润.该患者经强的松治疗症状明显缓解.     

Small cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a case report.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus, which is similar in appearance and behavior to its counterpart of the lung, is a rare tumor. We describe a 77 year-old woman whose esophagram revealed a well-defined mass in the lower third of the thoracic esophagus. A biopsy specimen showed an infiltration of small malignant cells. The individual cells were oval- or spindle-shaped with hyperchromatic nuclei and scant cytoplasm. Synaptophysin staining was positive. The mass was diagnosed as a small cell carcinoma of the esophagus. She underwent an esophagectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis. We discuss the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.     

Esophageal leiomyosarcoma: a case treated by endoscopic resection

We report a rare case of leiomyosarcoma of the lower esophagus that was treated by endoscopic resection. A 56-year-old man was referred to our hospital in October 2005 because of mild discomfort around the lower esophagus upon swallowing for 2 months. The esophagogram showed a filling defect at the lower esophagus. It revealed a giant polyp tumor arising from the right wall of the lower esophagus. The diameter of the top of the tumor was 25 mm. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic study revealed that the lesion was a tumor with a large stalk at the right side in the lower esophagus. The lesion was at 38 cm from the incisors. Histological study of the biopsy samples revealed the tumor was a leiomyosarcoma by morphological features of the tumor in hematoxylin and eosin stain. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan showed the tumor protruded into the lumen of the lower esophagus but into none of the lymph nodes, nor was distant metastasis seen. Endoscopic resection was performed with an electric snare. The tumor was completely resected without any trouble. The tumor was composed of spindle cells with irregular nuclei and numerous mitotic figures were present. The immunohistochemical staining showed positive for p53. The Ki67 labeling index was 8.7%, which was consistent with leiomyosarcoma. It also showed positive for smooth muscle actin, caldesmon, and calponin but negative for c-kit, CD34, and S-100. These histopathological findings disclosed a leiomyosarcoma. The patient is asymptomatic and disease free after a 2-year follow up. We believe that endoscopic resection will be an option for an intraluminal polypoid form of esophageal leiomyosarcoma.     

多层螺旋CT和Ensite3000标测系统测量左心房食管间距离的相关性研究

目的:探讨多层螺旋CT下和Ensite3000标测系统下左心房食管间距离的相关性.方法:选择20例阵发性心房颤动患者,分别于导管射频消融前行多层螺旋CT测量左心房食管间距离及于消融术中在Ensite3000标测系统下测量左心房食管间距离,并比较其相关性.结果:多层螺旋CT测量的左心房食管间最短距离为(3.5±0.8)mm,三维标测系统测量的左心房食管间最短距离为(3.2±1.1)mm,Pearson相关分析表明,2种方法测量下的左心房食管间最短距离呈正相关(r=0.8,P<0.05).结论:Ensite3000标测系统下测量左心房食管间距离可行,间接说明远离左心房后壁或避开与食管紧靠的左心房后壁的心房颤动导管射频消融策略在临床上可行.