A superficial esophageal cancer in an epiphrenic diverticulum treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: We report a unique case of a superficial esophageal cancer arising in a single diverticulum, diagnosed with magnifying image-enhanced endoscopy and then successfully treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old man with alcohol-related liver injury visited our hospital for endoscopy for investigation of varix. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no varix but a large epiphrenic diverticulum with an area of fainted redness just above the esophagogastric junction. Narrow band imaging revealed a sharply demarcated brownish dotted area, and dilated intra-epithelial papillary capillary loops (IPCL) were subsequently seen after magnification. Chromoendoscopy with 1% Lugol's iodine solution demonstrated a well-demarcated unstained area, approximately 20 mm in diameter. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). CONCLUSION: The tumor was completely resected by ESD without perforation. Histologically, it was an intraepithelial SCC without lympho-vascular invasion of cancer cells. No local recurrence or metastasis was detected at the last follow-up of 42 months.

Clinical Conundrum: Killian-Jamieson Diverticulum with Paraesophageal Hernia.

Killian-Jamieson diverticulum is a outpouching of the lateral cervical esophageal wall adjacent to the insertion of the recurrent laryngeal to the larynx and is much less common in clinical practice than Zenkers Diverticulum. Surgical management of Killian-Jamieson diverticulum requires open transcervical diverticulectomy due to the proximity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the base of the pouch. We present a case of a Killian-Jamieson diverticulum associated with a concurrent large type III paraesophageal hernia causing significant solid-food dysphagia, post-prandial regurgitation of solid foods, and chronic cough managed with open transcervical diverticulectomy and laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair with Nissen fundoplication.

[LAPAROSCOPIC APPROACH AND SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN RESECTION OF A LARGE EPIPHRENIC ESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM].

Epiphrenic diverticulum of the esophagus is an uncommon finding. Small diverticula are usually asymptomatic in nature. Large diverticula may present with dysphagia, chest or upper abdominal discomfort, vomiting, irritating cough or halitosis. There are a few different surgical approaches to epiphrenic diverticulum resection. It can be performed with an abdominal or a thoracic approach and in an open or a laparoscopic manner. In this case report we present a 70 years old male patient with a giant epiphrenic diverticulum and dysphagia. The patient was operated upon via a laparoscopic abdominal approach with intra-operative endoscopic assistance and underwent a diverticulum resection. We present a review of the different kinds of esophageal diverticula, the mechanism of their formation, and the surgical considerations associated with choosing the appropriate surgical approach.

Large oesophageal epiphrenic diverticulum resected by transhiatal robotic-assisted approach -- case report.

INTRODUCTION: Epiphrenic diverticula (ED) represent about 20% of oesophageal diverticula. They are considered to be pulsion diverticula, characterized by out pouchings of the oesophageal mucosa originating in the distal 10 cm of the oesophagus and are frequently associated with spastic oesophageal dysmotility. The most frequent clinical manifestations of ED are dysphagia, regurgitations and chest pain. Only symptomatic diverticula should be treated by surgery. The surgical procedure can be performed minimally invasively by robotic approach and consists of diverticulectomy,hiatus calibration and an antireflux procedure, usually adding an esophagomiotomy as well. CASE-REPORT: We present the case of 43-year-old male patient who was admitted for a four-month history of epigastric pain, pyrosis and regurgitations. Preoperative investigation shave shown an epiphrenic diverticulum 6 cm large in diameter.A robotic-assisted transhiatal diverticulectomy with a linear endostapler, hiatal calibration and a Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication were performed using a three-arm da Vinci Robotic System. Operative time was 150 min. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 9, without complications. Ten days later,he came back and was readmitted under emergency status for right chest pain, dyspnoea and fetid breath, being diagnosed with a right empyema secondary to a delayed fistula of the oesophageal suture line. A right minimal pleurotomy and pleural drainage under local anaesthesia were performed and an intravenous antibiotherapy was started with complete remission of symptomatology, the patient remaining asymptomatic after 18 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic approach is a feasible and safe minimally invasive surgical option in the treatment of selected cases of ED. We consider transhiatal abdominal robotic approach possible in almost all cases of ED, regardless of size,thus avoiding thoracic approach and its possible major complications.The most common serious complication after surgery of ED is post diverticulectomy suture line fistula, but if properly and rapidly diagnosed it could be conservatively treated with very good results.

[Malformations of the esophagus: diagnosis and therapy]. / Fehlbildungen des Ösophagus: Diagnose und Therapie.

Esophageal malformations are rare and can occur sporadically or as a component of various syndromes. The variations and classifications are manifold. With the available modern operation techniques most malformations can be resolved with good results. However, esophageal malformations are often combined with further malformations which limit the prognosis. The separation of the trachea and esophagus after gastrulation is not yet completely researched. The results so far indicate that the localized expression of various homeodomain transcription factors is essential for normal development of the trachea and esophagus.

A retrospective and prospective study of megaesophagus in the parma wallaby (Macropus parma) at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA.

At the San Diego Zoo (California, USA), 22 cases of megaesophagus were diagnosed in the parma wallaby (Macropus parma); a prevalence of 21.1%. Parma wallabies often have no clinical signs until severe and chronic dilation of the esophagus is present. Clinical signs of advanced disease include weight loss, swelling of the cervical region, regurgitation without reswallowing of ingesta, short flight distance, depression, collapse, dyspnea, and sudden death. Retrospective and prospective studies at the San Diego Zoo and a multi-institutional survey in the United States were used to try to determine the cause of megaesophagus. The retrospective study did not identify an etiology. The prospective study revealed megaesophagus and severely delayed esophageal transit time in eight of eight animals. Myasthenia gravis, lead toxicosis, toxoplasmosis, and thyroid disease were eliminated as possible causes. Of 286 living and dead parma wallabies surveyed at other institutions, three cases of esophageal diverticulum and one case of megaesophagus were reported. The cause of megaesophagus in parma wallabies was not determined.

[Surgical treatment of esophageal diverticula]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al diverticulilor esofagieni.

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the methods and therapeutic principles of esophageal diverticula pathology. We analyze the main pathological mechanisms which establish the therapeutic attitude linked with a complex pretherapeutic evaluation. In our study we enrolled 12 patients operated between 2001-2009 for esophageal diverticula with different topography. In this period of time there were much more patients diagnosed with this pathology, but the need for surgery was establish very tight regarding the actual practical guide which impose the identification and interception of physiological mechanisms by the surgical procedure. We highlight the particular technical details, as well as the important differences of postoperatory complications according to the topography of the diverticula pouch.

Traction mid-esophageal diverticulum associated with Pott's spinal caries.

A 71-year-old man was admitted to Teikyo University Hospital with paraplegia, subileus, back pain and high fever. He gave a history of having received treatment for spinal caries 20 years previously. Chest computed tomography and esophageal endoscopy demonstrated evidence of spinal caries and traction mid-esophageal diverticulum associated with kyphosis of the spine. The present report describes the extremely rare case of diverticula associated with kyphosis of the spine caused by spinal caries (Pott's spinal caries).

Squamous cell carcinoma in a large epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum.

Carcinoma is rare in an esophageal diverticulum. The case of a 53-year-old man with a large mass in a long-standing symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum is presented in this study. Squamous cell carcinoma in the diverticulum with pleural invasion was diagnosed after surgical diverticulectomy. The patient underwent subtotal esophagectomy with locoregional lymph node dissection and reconstruction with gastric tube because of micro-invasion at the surgical margin. The patient developed malignant pleural effusion at 6 months after surgery, and he eventually expired 3 months later. Carcinoma can develop in esophageal diverticula and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor prognosis.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis complicated with severe stricture requiring surgical resection.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) is an uncommon benign disorder leading to esophageal strictures. The etiology remains unknown; however, anti-fungal treatments or endoscopic balloon dilation can improve early esophageal strictures and these rarely require surgical treatment. We report a case of a 46-year-old male with a 6 cm-long esophageal stricture due to EIPD, which did not improve following treatment with an anti-fungal agent, eventually causing aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, we performed a thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy, and his symptoms were improved after surgery. This case suggests that a surgical treatment should be considered in patients with extensive, severe strictures attributable to EIPD.

Minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach for esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma with esophageal diverticulum: A case report.

Controversy remains regarding the optimal resection approach for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Furthermore, an esophageal diverticulum, although rare, can complicate surgical procedures. Herein, we report a case of EGJ adenocarcinoma with an esophageal diverticulum that was treated using the minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach (MALTA). A 72-year-old man, with EGJ adenocarcinoma and an epiphrenic diverticulum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. The pathological diagnosis of the specimen revealed invasion to the lymphatic vessels. Therefore, laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and thoracoscopic lower esophagectomy with D1 lymph node dissection and double-tract reconstruction of the esophageal diverticulum were performed via MALTA. The patient was discharged without any postoperative morbidity. MALTA provides good visualization for the transection of the lower esophagus in cases of esophageal diverticulum. Moreover, MALTA for adenocarcinoma of the EGJ is technically feasible, even with the presence of a lower esophageal diverticulum.

Endoscopic diverticulotomy with an isolated-tip needle-knife papillotome (Iso-Tome) and a fitted overtube for the treatment of a Killian-Jamieson diverticulum.

A Killian-Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) is an unfamiliar and rare cervical esophageal diverticulum. This diverticulum originates on the anterolateral wall of the proximal cervical esophagus through a muscular gap (the Killian-Jamieson space) below the cricopharyngeal muscle and lateral to the longitudinal muscle of the esophagus. To date, only surgical treatment has been recommended for a symptomatic KJD due to its close proximity to the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the concern of possible nerve injury. Recently, traditional open surgery for a symptomatic KJD is being challenged by the development of new endoscopic techniques and devices. We present here a case of a symptomatic KJD that was successfully treated with the flexible endoscopic diverticulotomy using two new devices. An isolated-tip needle-knife papillotome (Iso-Tome) was used for the dissection of the tissue bridge of the diverticulum. And a flexible overtube with a modified distal end (a fitted overtube) was used for adequate visualization of the tissue bridge of the diverticulum and protection of the surrounding tissue during dissection of the tissue bridge. Our successful experience suggests that the flexible endoscopic diverticulotomy with the use of appropriate endoscopic devices can be a safe and effective method for the treatment of a symptomatic KJD.

Combined thoracoscopic and endoscopic management of mid-esophageal benign lesions: use of the prone patient position : Thoracoscopic surgery for mid-esophageal benign tumors and diverticula.

BACKGROUND: Both benign tumors and mid-esophageal diverticula are rare conditions; underlying disorders may be present in case of diverticula. Traditionally, thoracotomy was the preferred route to approach these lesions. Now, more surgeons are using minimally invasive techniques to treat these benign mid-esophageal lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients with symptomatic mid-esophageal lesions were studied, benign tumors were seven cases and five cases of diverticula. We present our experiences with thoracoscopic enucleation of benign tumors and diverticulectomy aided by peroperative endoscopy. All the patients were placed in the prone position and approached via a right thoracotomy. RESULTS: Two patients had minor complications of pneumonitis and dysphagia, which were treated conservatively. One patient had a leak from the staple line that needed a second-look thoracoscopy and evacuation of abscess. DISCUSSION: In this study, we highlight the use of the prone patient position, the advantages of a right thoracoscopic approach and the value of peroperative endoscopy. The prone position was first described in 1994, but has not been popular. Peroperative endoscopy accurately localizes diverticula and determines level of stapler application. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopy has definite benefits regarding reduced morbidity. The combined modality of peroperative endoscopy is useful in diverticulectomy. Based on our experience, we believe the prone patient position is the ideal position for esophageal surgery.

Mass-Forming Deep Pseudodiverticulosis of the Esophagus With 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake.

This report describes a case of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis associated with an inflammatory esophageal mass with high 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. A 48-year-old man presented with dysphagia caused by an esophageal stricture. Simultaneous positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed an FDG-avid lesion in the lower esophagus. Because of suspected malignancy, the patient underwent subtotal esophagectomy. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of an inflammatory tumor associated with esophageal pseudodiverticulosis. Unlike typical cases, this patient's pseudodiverticula involved both the submucosa and the muscularis propria. This case suggests that esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis can manifest with a tumorlike mass that may be FDG positive in response to associated inflammation.