Esophageal leiomyomatosis -- an unusual cause of pseudoachalasia.

Abstract

Esophageal leiomyomatosis is a rare hamartomatous disorder with varied presentation. In the literature, it is described mostly in children, and is associated with Alport's syndrome. A case of leiomyomatosis that presented as achalasia not associated with Alport's syndrome is described in a 35-year-old woman with a 16-year history of dysphagia. Barium swallow showed a smooth narrowing at the lower end of the esophagus with a longer than usual stricture length. Endoscopy showed a dilated esophagus with a submucosal nodule in the region of the cardia. A computed tomography scan revealed circumferential thickening of the esophagus involving the gastroesophageal junction, with fat planes maintained with the adjacent structure. Endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated a lesion arising from the muscularis propria. The manometry findings were suggestive of achalasia. She underwent transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Leiomyomatosis should be considered as a cause of psuedoachalasia in patients with symptoms suggestive of achalasia and atypical barium findings. Attempts should be made to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively using computed tomography and/or endoscopic ultrasound. Esophagectomy is the treatment of choice.

• Authors: S Ray, S Singh Saluja, R Gupta, T Kanti Chattopadhyay
• Journal: Canadian journal of gastroenterology = Journal canadien de gastroenterologie (Can J Gastroenterol) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 187-9 (Feb 2008) ISSN: 0835-7900 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 18299739 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Esophageal Achalasia (etiology)
• Esophageal Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Leiomyomatosis (complications, diagnosis, surgery)