Surgical images: soft tissue: Tubular duplication of the esophagus

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Surgery Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 205 - 206
• Main Authors: Estefan Ventura, Denise, MD, Tomaz Schettini, Sergio, MD, Reibscheid, Samuel, MD, Colleoni, Ramiro, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada CMA Impact Inc 01.06.2008; CMA Impact, Inc; Canadian Medical Association
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Case studies; Child; Continuing Medical Education; Diagnosis; Diverticulum, Esophageal - diagnosis; Endoscopy; Esophageal diseases; Esophageal Stenosis - diagnosis; Esophageal Stenosis - etiology; Esophageal Stenosis - surgery; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Esophagus - abnormalities; Foreign Bodies - surgery; Gastroesophageal reflux; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Risk factors; Surgery; Canada
• ISSN: 0008-428X; 1488-2310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-428X(08)50051-8

An upper endoscopy was performed. After a coin in the esophagus was removed, an esophageal stenosis and an orifice in the esophageal wall were noticed (Fig. 1). Biopsy of the double lumen showed chronic esophagitis. A barium esophagram (Fig. 2) was also carried out and contributed to a diagnosis of tubular duplication of the esophagus. Esophageal duplication is a rare congenital anomaly with an estimated incidence of 1 in 8200, representing about 10% of all foregut duplications.1-3 The cystic form is the most usual presentation of the duplication, whereas the tubular type accounts for only 5%-10% of cases.4 Esophageal duplication cysts are commonly found in the lower third (60%-95%) and on the right side,1,5 whereas the tubular form is frequently reported in the middle and lower esophagus1,4,6,7 The diagnosis may be carried out by arrows). means of an esophagram,4-7,9 upper endoscopy and computed tomography scan.1-3,8 An endoscopy is used to perform a biopsy in the double lumen of the esophagus and may reveal an ectopic mucosa. 6 In our case, the esophageal duplication was diagnosed by endoscopy and esophagram, which are the most commonly performed examinations in the diagnosis of the tubular form of the duplication. Magnetic resonance imaging contributes by following the double lumen throughout its length and by revealing the communication with the esophageal lumen, clarifying the anomalous anatomy.2,4