A rare cause of dysphagia due to esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon, idiopathic disorder characterized by multiple small outpouchings protruding from the esophageal lumen. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is associated with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and diabetes mellitus, as well as emergent complications including pneumomediastinum. The most common presenting symptom is dysphagia with associated esophageal stricture formation. While the pathogenesis of EIP has yet to be determined, it is important to bring awareness to this unique disease with distinctive diagnostic findings and treatment options. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we present a 62-year-old woman who suffered from dysphagia, an inability to tolerate a regular diet, and unintentional weight loss for several years prior to her diagnoses. She was diagnosed by esophagram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy to have esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis, complicated by severe stricture formation. Following treatment with sequential dilatation and maintenance H2-blocker therapy, she achieved significant symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of accurate identification and treatment of an uncommon cause of dysphagia, esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. Treatment includes dilatational therapy, as successfully demonstrated in our patient. Furthermore, treatment is focused on optimizing medical management, as demonstrated in our patient with the addition of an H2-blocker for GERD, or addressing potentially serious underlying causes, such as carcinoma, with surgery.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis in a patient with food bolus impaction / Pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica en un paciente con impactación de bolo alimentario

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon esophageal benign disease. The typical finding during endoscopy is the presence of numerous pinhead-sized outpouchings along the esophageal wall. We reported a case of food bolus impaction secondary to esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. A 67-year-old man presented with sudden-onset dysphagia. Multiple tiny orifices were revealed during upper endoscopy. In addition, there were an impacted food bolus and an esophageal web. The patient was treated with balloon dilatation and proton pump inhibitors. As a result the symptoms disappeared completely. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is a rare cause of food bolus impaction and its treatment is directed towards the underlying associated conditions as well as the resolution of complications.

La pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica es una enfermedad benigna del esófago poco común. El hallazgo típico durante la endoscopia es la presencia de numerosos sáculos del tamaño de una cabeza de alfiler a lo largo de la pared esofágica. Reportamos un caso de impactación de bolo alimentario secundario a pseudodiverticulosis esofágica intramural. Un hombre de 67 años presentó disfagia de aparición repentina. Se encontraron múltiples orificios pequeños en la endoscopia superior. Además, hubo un bolo alimentario impactado y una red esofágica. El paciente fue tratado con dilatación con balón e inhibidores de la bomba de protones. Como resultado, los síntomas desaparecieron por completo. La pseudodiverticulosis intramural esofágica es una causa rara de impactación del bolo alimentario y su tratamiento se dirige a las condiciones asociadas subyacentes, así como a la resolución de complicaciones.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis in a patient with food bolus impaction.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon esophageal benign disease. The typical finding during endoscopy is the presence of numerous pinhead-sized outpouchings along the esophageal wall. We reported a case of food bolus impaction secondary to esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. A 67-year-old man presented with sudden-onset dysphagia. Multiple tiny orifices were revealed during upper endoscopy. In addition, there were an impacted food bolus and an esophageal web. The patient was treated with balloon dilatation and proton pump inhibitors. As a result the symptoms disappeared completely. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is a rare cause of food bolus impaction and its treatment is directed towards the underlying associated conditions as well as the resolution of complications.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis of the residual esophagus after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

A 91-year-old man was referred to our hospital with intermittent dysphagia. He had undergone esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (T3N2M0 Stage III) 11 years earlier. Endoscopic examination revealed an anastomotic stricture; signs of inflammation, including redness, erosion, edema, bleeding, friability, and exudate with white plaques; and multiple depressions in the residual esophagus. Radiographical examination revealed numerous fine, gastrografin-filled projections and an anastomotic stricture. Biopsy specimens from the area of the anastomotic stricture revealed inflammatory changes without signs of malignancy. Candida glabrata was detected with a culture test of the biopsy specimens. The stricture was diagnosed as a benign stricture that was caused by esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. Accordingly, endoscopic balloon dilatation was performed and anti-fungal therapy was started in the hospital. Seven weeks later, endoscopic examination revealed improvement in the mucosal inflammation; only the pseudodiverticulosis remained. Consequently, the patient was discharged. At the latest follow-up, the patient was symptom-free and the pseudodiverticulosis remained in the residual esophagus without any signs of stricture or inflammation.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis treated by endoscopic balloon dilatation.

We here report a rare case of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis with dysphagia. A 65-year-old man was suffering from intermittent dysphagia for 10 years, which had been worsening in recent months. Endoscopic examination revealed multiple, small, saccular diverticula and mild annular stricture with numerous white plaques from the cervical esophagus to the middle thoracic esophagus. Barium esophagography revealed stricture of the upper thoracic esophagus with multiple tiny flask-shaped outpouchings. Based on this characteristic appearance, we diagnosed esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis and inflammation of a narrow segment of the esophagus. Biopsy specimen showed acute and chronic esophagitis with Candida infection. Dysphagia persisted despite resolution of candidiasis, for which we successfully performed endoscopic balloon dilatation of the stricture. After the treatment, the patient has been well and has not been suffering from dysphagia.

Alkali ingestion predisposes to developing giant mid-esophageal pulsion diverticulum - a report of a medical rarity.

Pulsion diverticulae of the mid-esophagus with unknown etiology are usually asymptomatic and therefore considered incidental findings on chest X-rays, barium swallows, or endoscopic procedures. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the rarity of clinical symptoms. The clinical, radiological, etiological and surgical features in a patient with extraordinary symptomatic giant mid-esophageal pulsion diverticulum with history of alkali ingestion are presented here. Alkali injury may yield asymptomatic strictures and/or acquired weaknesses of the esophageal wall, both of which are known to lead to the formation of this giant malady. Putative pathomechanism and suggested therapy including diverticulectomy is proposed in this communication.