Serial Endoscopic Observation in a Case of Spontaneous Submucosal Dissection of the Esophagus / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous submucosal esophageal dissection is a rare disorder, characterized by a longitudinal dissection along the axis of the esophagus between submucosa and muscle layer without an obvious cause. The diagnosis is made by typical esophagographic or endoscopic findings which are double-barreled esophagus in esophagography or mucosal defect in upper esophagus and false lumen running along the distal side of the esophagus on esophagoscopy. The condition usually follows a benign course with good prognosis requiring a supportive treatment, but rarely treated by endoscopy or surgery. A 74-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of chest pain and odynophagia after upper respiratory infection. We diagnosed a case of spontaneous submucosal dissection of the esophagus and observed its healing process by series of endoscopy with a conservative treatment.