A CASE OF HEMANGIOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS

Abstract

A 67-year-old female was referred to the hospital because of an esophageal tumor. On detailed questioning, she has no serious complaint except anemia. There was neither dysphagia nor hematemesis or melena. Fluoloscopic examination of the esophagus disclosed a large polypid lesion, measuring grossly 7 cm×3 cm in size, in the upper esophagus. On esophagoscopy, the lesion was described as submucosal bluish soft mass. Computed tomography showed a well defined mass with calcific densities in the upper esophagus, but contrast medium did not enhance the mass. MRI also showed a solid tumor in the upper mediastinum. Doppler echogram could not detect massive blood flow in the mass.
Surgical treatment was performed. The esophagus was approached with open-door method and thoracic esophagus was resected. Histological diagnosis was cavernous hemanginoma.
Hemangioma of the esophagus usually demands some treatment, because it can cause hemorrhage irrespective of its size. Fifty-nine cases of esophageal hemangioma have been reported in Japan. Of these, 25 cases had tumors over 4 cm in diameter and underwent surgical treatment. Other patients with smaller tumor less than 3 cm in diameter received either non-invasive surgery or conservative treatment.