Abstract
Mucosal bridges of the esophagus are rare and only 37 cases have been reported in Japan since 1977. We reviewed the reported cases and discussed this case in detail. A 77-year-old male underwent the upper gastrointestinal series to evaluate the cause of anemia. The examination demonstrated the possibility of a mucosal bridge in the middle esophagus. Endoscopic examination showed the mucosal bridge at 25cm from the incisor. Histological examination of the mucosal bridge suggested normal squamous epithelium. The morphological features of the mucosal bridge were extremely characteristic ; (1) The radiologic and endoscopic examinations with the foward-viewing endoscopy revealed unilateral esophageal stenosis in association with fistula. However, lateral-viewing endoscopy disclosed a wide band-like mucosal bridge (width : about 15mm). (2) The surface of the mucosal bridge and the surrounding esophageal mucosa appeared normal. (3) The shape of mucosal bridge was changed as if it contracted. These findings were quite different from the features of acquired esophageal mucosal bridges reported in Japanease literatures and rather mimic to the case of the congenital esophageal mucosal bridge reported in English literature. However, it is necessary to investigate the justification of this assumption.
