Review article: Oesophageal disorders in chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal disorders and chronic liver disease are common worldwide and significantly impact quality of life. The intricate link between these conditions, including how oesophageal disorders like GERD, Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal cancer affect and are affected by chronic liver disease, remains poorly understood. AIMS: To review the relationship between oesophageal disorders and chronic liver disease, evaluating epidemiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic factors. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on the relationship between oesophageal disorders and chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, using the PubMed database RESULTS: Oesophageal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's oesophagus, oesophageal cancer, oesophageal motor disorders and oesophageal candidiasis are prevalent among individuals with cirrhosis, exacerbating the burden of liver disease. These diseases have a multifaceted symptomatology and pathogenic basis, posing a significant challenge in cirrhotic patients that necessitates careful diagnosis and management. Additionally, therapies frequently used for these diseases, such as proton pump inhibitors, require careful consideration in cirrhotic patients due to potential adverse effects and altered pharmacokinetics. Managing oesophageal disorders in cirrhotic patients requires a cautious approach due to possible interactions with medications and the risk of adverse effects. Furthermore, symptoms associated with these conditions are often exacerbated by common interventions in patients with cirrhosis, such as band ligation for oesophageal varices. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophageal disorders are common in cirrhosis and increase the disease burden. These conditions require careful management due to complex symptoms and treatment risks. Proton pump inhibitors and other therapies must be used cautiously, as cirrhosis interventions can worsen symptoms.

Clinical, Imaging, and Pathologic Features of Conditions with Combined Esophageal and Cutaneous Manifestations.

A variety of clinically significant conditions can affect both the esophagus and the skin. Esophageal and cutaneous manifestations may directly reflect the underlying disease process, as in infections such as herpes simplex virus, bullous diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa and mucous membrane pemphigoid, connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory diseases such as lichen planus. Alternatively, esophageal and cutaneous findings may result from conditions that are closely associated with and potentially pathognomonic for but distinct from the underlying disease process, as in genetic diseases such as Cowden syndrome or paraneoplastic syndromes such as acrokeratosis paraneoplastica. Other diseases such as Crohn disease may have cutaneous manifestations that directly reflect the same underlying inflammatory process that affects the gastrointestinal tract or cutaneous manifestations that represent reactive or associated conditions distinct from the underlying inflammatory process. The cutaneous manifestations of disease may precede, coincide with, or follow the esophageal manifestations of disease. The authors present the characteristic clinical features and imaging findings associated with common and uncommon conditions that have esophageal and cutaneous manifestations. Each condition is presented with a brief overview, discussion of salient clinical and cutaneous manifestations, and description of the typical esophageal imaging findings, with particular attention to implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Recognition of potential associations between cutaneous lesions and esophageal imaging findings is important for establishing a specific diagnosis or generating a meaningful differential diagnosis.

Esophageal tuberculosis in an HIV-positive patient mimicking a spindle cell tumor.

Tuberculosis (TB) of the esophagus is an extremely rare condition, even in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of a 24-year-old man with a past history of HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis who presented with dysphagia and a 2cm submucosal mass in the proximal esophagus. The biopsy was diagnosed as a spindle cell neoplasm in another center. Sections displayed a submucosal lesion formed by spindle and epithelioid cells, surrounded by chronic inflammation. The spindle cells were positive for S100 and CD68, but negative for cytokeratin, desmin, smooth muscle actin, ALK, CD34 and CD117. Ziehl-Neelsen stain was performed and showed many intracellular acid-fast bacilli, confirming the diagnosis of esophageal TB. This case is a reminder that esophageal TB may become manifest as a submucosal lesion and the histiocytic-granulomatous reaction may mimic a spindle cell tumor.

[Esophageal bronchogenic cyst: an uncommon cause of dysphagia in adults. Case report and literature review]. / Quiste broncogénico esofágico: una causa poco común de disfagia en adultos. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGRONUND: Bronchogenic cysts result from abnormal budding of the primitive tracheobronchial tube and are rare congenital cystic lesions. The location of the cyst depends on the embryological stage of abnormal budding. Although periesophageal bronchogenic cysts have been frequently reported, a completely intramural cyst is very rare. CLINICAL CASE: A 42-year-old female patient, a three-month course with retrosternal pain associated with food intake, accompanied by intermittent dysphagia to solids. Esophagogram, high resolution thoracic tomography and endoscopic ultrasound are performed, concluding a probable esophageal bronchogenic cyst. Resection is performed by video-assisted thoracic surgery, without complications. Patient presents with adequate evolution and complete remission of the symptomatology. CONCLUSION: Bronchogenic cysts of the esophageal wall are extremely uncommon lesions. Its surgical treatment is indicated to be symptomatic; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resection is of choice, with excellent long-term results and minimal morbidity.

ANTECEDENTES: Los quistes broncogénicos son lesiones congénitas raras que resultan de brotes anormales del tubo traqueobronquial primitivo. La localización del quiste depende de la etapa embriológica del brote anormal. Aunque los quistes broncogénicos periesofágicos han sido frecuentemente reportados, un quiste completamente intramural es muy raro. CASO CLÍNICO: Mujer de 42 años con cuadro de 3 meses de evolución, con dolor retroesternal asociado a la ingestión de alimentos, acompañado de disfagia intermitente a sólidos. Se realiza esofagograma, tomografía de tórax de alta resolución y ultrasonido endoscópico, que concluyen probable quiste broncogénico esofágico. Se realiza resección por cirugía torácica videoasistida, sin complicaciones. La paciente cursa con adecuada evolución y remisión completa de la sintomatología. CONCLUSIÓN: Los quistes broncogénicos de la pared esofágica son lesiones extremadamente poco comunes. Está indicado su tratamiento quirúrgico al ser sintomáticos; es de elección la resección por cirugía torácica videoasistida, con excelentes resultados a largo plazo y mínima morbilidad.

Esophageal lichen planus: An unusual cause of dysphagia in the elderly.

An 82-year-old man sought our service with dysphagia and was referred for upper endoscopy with biopsies, which evidenced multiple ulcers of the esophagus and oropharinx. Histopathology confirmed the unusual diagnosis of esophageal lichen planus. The correct clinical suspicion of this disease can facilitate the diagnosis and guide specific treatment, which can drastically change the natural course of the disease.

Esophageal lichen planus: An unusual cause of dysphagia in the elderly / Líquen plano esofágico: uma causa incomum de disfagia em idosos

Summary An 82-year-old man sought our service with dysphagia and was referred for upper endoscopy with biopsies, which evidenced multiple ulcers of the esophagus and oropharinx. Histopathology confirmed the unusual diagnosis of esophageal lichen planus. The correct clinical suspicion of this disease can facilitate the diagnosis and guide specific treatment, which can drastically change the natural course of the disease.

Resumo Paciente do sexo masculino, de 82 anos, com disfagia, foi encaminhado para realização de endoscopia digestiva alta com biópsias, na qual foram evidenciadas múltiplas úlceras de esôfago e orofaringe. O estudo histopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico raro de líquen plano esofágico. A correta suspeita clínica dessa doença pode facilitar o diagnóstico e direcionar para um tratamento específico, o que pode drasticamente alterar o curso natural dessa comorbidade.

Esophageal stenting for benign and malignant disease: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline

This Guideline is an official statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), endorsed by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), the European Society of Digestive Endoscopy (ESDO), and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was adopted to define the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. Main recommendations for malignant disease 1 ESGE recommends placement of partially or fully covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) for palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia over laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and esophageal bypass (strong recommendation, high quality evidence). 2 For patients with longer life expectancy, ESGE recommends brachytherapy as a valid alternative or in addition to stenting in esophageal cancer patients with malignant dysphagia. Brachytherapy may provide a survival advantage and possibly a better quality of life compared to SEMS placement alone. (Strong recommendation, high quality evidence.) 3 ESGE recommends esophageal SEMS placement as the preferred treatment for sealing malignant tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). 4 ESGE does not recommend the use of concurrent external radiotherapy and esophageal stent treatment. SEMS placement is also not recommended as a bridge to surgery or prior to preoperative chemoradiotherapy. It is associated with a high incidence of adverse events and alternative satisfactory options such as placement of a feeding tube are available. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.) Main recommendations for benign disease 1 ESGE recommends against the use of self-expandable stents (SEMSs) as first-line therapy for the management of benign esophageal strictures because of the potential for adverse events, the availability of alternative therapies, and costs (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). 2 ESGE suggests consideration of temporary placement of SEMSs as therapy for refractory benign esophageal strictures (weak recommendation, moderate evidence). Stents should usually be removed at a maximum of 3 months (strong recommendation, weak quality evidence). 3 ESGE suggests that fully covered SEMSs be preferred over partially covered SEMSs for the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures, because of their lack of embedment and ease of removability (weak recommendation, low quality evidence). 4 For the removal of partially covered esophageal SEMSs that are embedded, ESGE recommends the stent-in-stent technique (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). 5 ESGE recommends that temporary stent placement can be considered for treating esophageal leaks, fistulas, and perforations. The optimal stenting duration remains unclear and should be individualized. (Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.) 6 ESGE recommends placement of a SEMS for the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding refractory to medical, endoscopic, and/or radiological therapy, or as initial therapy for patients with massive esophageal variceal bleeding (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).

Inflammatory fibroid polyp of the gastrointestinal tract: 10 years of experience at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán. / Pólipo fibroideo inflamatorio del tracto gastrointestinal: 10 años de experiencia del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory fibroid polyp (lFP) is a rare, benign, and solitary neoplasm predominantly located in the gastric antrum and small bowel. Its clinical symptoms are heterogeneous and essentially depend on the location and size of the tumor. Definitive diagnosis is made through histopathology and this pathology has excellent long-term prognosis. AIM: To identify the cases of IFP seen at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán over a 10-year period. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study was conducted that included patients with histopathologic diagnosis of IFP within the time frame of January 2001 and December 2011. RESULTS: Six cases were found and 5/6 (83.3%) of them were women. The median age was 41 years (minimum-maximum range of 19-56 years). The most frequent symptoms were weight loss (n=3), fever (n=2), nausea (n=2), and vomiting (n=2). Three patients presented with iron deficiency anemia and 2 cases with intussusception. The IFPs were located at the following sites: esophagus (n=1), stomach (n=2), small bowel (n=2), and colon (n=1). Treatment was surgical in 5/6 (83.3%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: IFPs are extremely rare in our population. They usually present with weight loss and iron deficiency anemia and are more frequently located in the stomach and small bowel. This is the largest reported IFP case series in a Mexican population.

Acute oesophageal necrosis concurrent with Leishmania chagasi infection in a dog.

A case of acute oesophageal necrosis concurrent with Leishmania chagasi infection is reported in a 6-year-old female mixed-breed dog. The report describes clinical signs, gross and microscopical lesions and immunohistochemical findings.

Congenital esophageal stenosis owing to tracheobronchial remnants.

OBJECTIVE To emphasize the need of an accurate diagnosis of congenital esophageal stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants, since its treatment differs from other types of congenital narrowing. CASE DESCRIPTION Four cases of lower congenital esophageal stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants, whose definitive diagnosis was made by histopathology. Except for the last case, in which a concomitant anti-reflux surgery was not performed, all had a favorable outcome after resection and anastomosis of the esophagus. COMMENTS The congenital esophageal stenosis is an intrinsic narrowing of the organ's wall associated with its structural malformation. The condition can be caused by tracheobronchial remnants, fibromuscular stenosis or membranous diaphragm and the first symptom is dysphagia after the introduction of solid food in the diet. The first-choice treatment to tracheobronchial remnants cases is the surgical resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the esophagus.

Congenital esophageal stenosis owing to tracheobronchial remnants / Estenosis congenita del esofago por remanecientes traqueobronquicos: relato de cuatro casos / Estenose congenita do esofago por remanescentes traqueobronquicos

OBJECTIVE To emphasize the need of an accurate diagnosis of congenital esophageal stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants, since its treatment differs from other types of congenital narrowing. CASE DESCRIPTION Four cases of lower congenital esophageal stenosis due to tracheobronchial remnants, whose definitive diagnosis was made by histopathology. Except for the last case, in which a concomitant anti-reflux surgery was not performed, all had a favorable outcome after resection and anastomosis of the esophagus. COMMENTS The congenital esophageal stenosis is an intrinsic narrowing of the organâ€(tm)s wall associated with its structural malformation. The condition can be caused by tracheobronchial remnants, fibromuscular stenosis or membranous diaphragm and the first symptom is dysphagia after the introduction of solid food in the diet. The first-choice treatment to tracheobronchial remnants cases is the surgical resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the esophagus. .

OBJETIVO Enfatizar la necesidad de un diagnóstico preciso de estenosis congénita del esófago por remanecientes traqueobrónquicos, una vez que su tratamiento difiere de los otros tipos de estrechamiento congénito. DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CASO Cuatro casos de estenosis congénita del esófago inferior causada por remanecientes traqueobrónquicos, cuyo diagnóstico definitivo fue obtenido por examen histopatológico. Excepto por el último caso, en el que no se utilizó cirugía antirreflujo concomitante, todos presentaron evolución satisfactoria después de resección y anastomosis del esófago. COMENTARIOS La estenosis congénita del esófago consiste en el estrechamiento intrínseco de la pared del órgano asociado a la malformación de su estructura. Puede ser causada por restos traqueobrónquicos, espesamiento fibromuscular o diafragma membranoso y tiene como primera manifestación clínica disfagia después de la introducción de alimentos sólidos en la dieta. El tratamiento de elección para los casos de remanecientes traqueobrónquicos es la resección del segmento estenosado con anastomosis término-terminal. .

OBJETIVO Enfatizar a necessidade de um diagnóstico preciso de estenose congênita do esôfago por remanescentes traqueobrônquicos, já que seu tratamento difere dos outros tipos de estreitamento congênito. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO Quatro casos de estenose congênita do esôfago inferior causada por remanescentes traqueobrônquicos, cujo diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido por exame histopatológico. À exceção do último caso, em que não se realizou cirurgia antirrefluxo concomitante, todos apresentaram evolução satisfatória após ressecção e anastomose do esôfago. COMENTÁRIOS A estenose congênita do esôfago consiste no estreitamento intrínseco da parede do órgão associada à malformação de sua estrutura. Pode ser causada por restos traqueobrônquicos, espessamento fibromuscular ou diafragma membranoso e tem como primeira manifestação clínica disfagia após introdução de alimentos sólidos na dieta. O tratamento de escolha para os casos de remanescentes traqueobrônquicos é a ressecção do segmento estenosado com anastomose término-terminal. .

[Oral blastomycosis, laryngeal papillomatosis and esophageal tuberculosis]. / Blastomicosis oral, papilomatosis laríngea y tuberculosis esofágica.

Esophageal involvement is an extremely rare complication of tuberculosis even in countries with high prevalence of infection. We report the case of a 57 year-old hiv-seronegative patient with simultaneous diagnoses of oral blastomycosis and laryngeal papillomatosis. Both were confirmed by anatomopathological analysis. The esophageal biopsy revealed granulomatous esophagitis with necrosis and ziehl-neelsen stain showed acid-fast alcohol resistant bacilli suggestive of tuberculosis. The patient's history included pulmonary tuberculosis twice and previous abandonment of therapy. Thus, it was necessary to use oral itraconazole combined with second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs administered through a gastrostomy tube. The clinical development was favorable.

Blastomicosis oral, papilomatosis laríngea y tuberculosis esofágica / Oral blastomycosis, laryngeal papillomatosis and esophageal tuberculosis

El compromiso esofágico es una complicación infrecuente de la tuberculosis incluso en países con alta prevalencia de infección. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 57 años no seropositivo al virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), con diagnóstico simultáneo de blastomicosis en cavidad oral y papilomatosis laríngea, ambas confirmadas por anatomía patológica. La biopsia de esófago reveló esofagitis granulomatosa con necrosis; la tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen mostró bacilos ácido-alcohol resistente, sugerentes de tuberculosis. El antecedente de tuberculosis pulmonar en dos oportunidades y abandono de tratamiento determinó el inicio de tratamiento antituberculoso de segunda línea a través de un tubo de gastrostomía, más itraconazol vía oral. La evolución fue favorable.

Esophageal involvement is an extremely rare complication of tuberculosis even in countries with high prevalence of infection. We report the case of a 57 year-old hiv-seronegative patient with simultaneous diagnoses of oral blastomycosis and laryngeal papillomatosis. Both were confirmed by anatomopathological analysis. The esophageal biopsy revealed granulomatous esophagitis with necrosis and ziehl-neelsen stain showed acid-fast alcohol resistant bacilli suggestive of tuberculosis. The patient’s history included pulmonary tuberculosis twice and previous abandonment of therapy. Thus, it was necessary to use oral itraconazole combined with second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs administered through a gastrostomy tube. The clinical development was favorable.

Hematoma intramural esofágico / Esophageal intramural hematoma

The most common presentation of esophageal hematoma is pain, dysphagia and hematemesis. We report two patients with the condition. A 77 years old female presenting with retrosternal pain and odynophagia after ingesting a pig bone. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a lineal hematoma, protruding to the lumen in the upper portion of the esophagus. The patient was managed with nil per os (NPO) and parenteral hydration and discharged 72 hours later. An 87 years old male presenting with two episodes of hematemesis and weight loss, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a dissecting hematoma involving the entire esophageal wall. The patient was managed with NPO and hydration and discharged in good conditions 11 days after admission.

El hematoma intramural esofágico es infrecuente, existiendo pocos casos registrados en la literatura. Generalmente se presenta posterior a un trauma, por ejemplo asociado a procedimientos endoscópicos (escleroterapia), o en forma espontánea. La presentación clínica más frecuente es la tríada de dolor torácico, odinofagia/disfagia y/o hematemesis. Generalmente el tratamiento consiste en un manejo expectante con medidas de soporte habitual. Se exponen 2 casos clínicos presentados en nuestro centro durante el año 2009 y se realiza una revisión de la literatura.

[Endoluminal excision of an esophageal fibrovascular polyp. Report of one case]. / Pólipo fibrovascular esofágico. Estudio por imágenes multimodalidad.

We report a 47-year-old woman presenting with dysphagia. A chest CAT scan and barium swallow showed an endoluminal mass that extended to four vertebrae. An endoluminal sonography localized the pediculum of the mass, that was excised endoscopically. The pathological study disclosed a fibrovascular polyp. After 18 months of follow up, the patient is asymptomatic.

The hypersensitive esophagus: pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment options.

Visceral hypersensitivity plays a key role in the pathogenesis of esophageal functional disorders such as functional heartburn and chest pain of presumed esophageal origin (noncardiac chest pain). About 80% of patients with unexplained noncardiac chest pain exhibit lower esophageal sensory thresholds when compared to controls during esophageal sensory testing (ie, esophageal barostat, impedance planimetry). Such information has led to prescription of peripherally and/or centrally acting therapies for the management of these patients. This review summarizes and highlights recent and significant findings regarding the pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of the hypersensitive esophagus, a central factor in functional esophageal disorders.