Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the Esophagus that Presenting as Esophageal Stenosis

• Published in: The Japanese Journal of Gastroenterological Surgery Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 243 - 252
• Main Authors: Tokumo, Masaki, Ohashi, Ryuichiro, Jida, Masaru, Kubo, Takafumi, Oka, Tomo, Yamakawa, Toshiki, Izumi, Sadanobu, Onoda, Yuji, Suzuka, Ichio, Nakamura, Satoko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery 01.04.2013
• Subjects: epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; esophagus; stricture of the esophagus
• ISSN: 0386-9768; 1348-9372
• DOI: 10.5833/jjgs.2012.0034

A 78-year-old woman consulted the Department of Internal Medicine about dysphagia in December 2004. Upper gastrointestinal X-ray examination showed a 3-cm long stricture of the middle thoracic esophagus. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy showed a stricture of the thoracic esophagus at approximately 28 to 30 cm from the incisor, but there was no tumorous appearance on the membrane. For this stricture of the esophagus of unknown origin, balloon dilation was performed at first. Her symptoms slightly improved after dilation, but did not disappear, therefore balloon dilation was repeated 5 times, however, her symptoms did not completely disappear. An esophageal stent insertion was performed in August 2006. Shortly after stent insertion, stent obstruction caused by food waste and continuous precordialgia or epigastralgia occurred. She then consulted the surgery department and in September 2006, underwent an operation under general anesthesia. Pathological examination of the resected specimen showed epithelioid hemangioendothelioma corresponding to the site of stricture. We conclude that this rare tumor was caused by esophageal stenosis.