Caracterización de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago / Characterization of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions

Introducción: Los tumores de esófago constituyen lesiones benignas o malignas, que afectan las diferentes capas del órgano. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago halladas en endoscopia bucal, según variables seleccionadas. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, durante el 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por 57 pacientes de 20 años y más, con diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico de lesión premaligna de esófago. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, lesiones premalignas de esófago, grado de esofagitis y diagnóstico histológico. Resultados: La endoscopia mostró un predominio de la esofagitis por reflujo en los pacientes de 62 años y más (61,7 %), así como del grado A de la clasificación de los Ángeles en ambos sexos (39,7 y 30,1 % de mujeres y hombres, respectivamente). Según el diagnóstico histológico primaron la esofagitis crónica (48,4 %) y la esofagitis crónica con displasia (17,1 %). Conclusiones: La identificación de pacientes con lesiones premalignas de esófago constituye el punto de partida para futuras acciones preventivas e intervencionistas, con vistas a disminuir la incidencia del cáncer de esófago.

Introduction: The esophagus malignancies constitute benign or malignant lesions that affect the different layers of the organ. Objective: To characterize patients with esophagus premalignant lesions found in oral endoscopy, according to selected variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Gastroenterology Service of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, during 2015. The universe was constituted by 57 patients aged 20 and over, with endoscopic and histologic diagnosis of esophagus premalignant lesion. The analyzed variables were: age, sex, esophagus premalignant lesions, degree of esophagitis and histologic diagnosis. Results: The endoscopy showed a prevalence of the esophagitis by reflux in patients aged 62 and over (61.7 %), as well as of the grade A of Los Angeles classification in both sexes (39.7 and 30.1% of women and men, respectively). According to the histologic diagnosis there was a prevalence of chronic esophagitis (48.4 %) and chronic esophagitis with dysplasia (17.1 %). Conclusions: The identification of patients with esophagus premalignant lesions constitutes the starting point for future preventive and interventionists actions, aimed at diminishing the incidence of esophagus cancer.

Fish Bone Foreign Body: The Role of Imaging

Abstract Introduction Fish bone foreign body (FFB) impaction in the upper aerodigestive tract is a common cause for emergency department referral. Its management varies in both diagnosis and treatment paradigms. Fish bone foreign bodies are more commonly found in the oropharynx in cases of patients < 40 years old, and in the esophagus in cases of patients > 40 years old. Symptoms are typically non-indicative for the location of the FFB, with the exception of foreign body sensation at/superior to the cervical esophagus. A lack of findings during the physical examination is routinely followed by imaging, with computed tomography (CT) being the preferred modality. In practice, many patients undergo unnecessary imaging studies, including CT scans. Objectives To identify patients with suspected fish bone impaction who do not require CT imaging and can be safely discharged. Data Synthesis We have searched the PubMed database for the following medical subject headings (MeSH) terms: fish bone, fish foreign body AND oropharynx, hypopharynx, esophagus, flexible esophagoscopy, and rigid esophagoscopy. Our search in the English language yielded 32 papers. Case reports were included, since they highlighted rare and serious complications. Conclusion In patients > 40 years old suspected of fish bone impaction, noncontrast CT is recommended and should be urgently performed, even in the presence of ambiguous symptoms. However, in patients < 40 years old presenting within 24 hours from ingestion, imaging has little diagnostic value due to the low probability of esophageal fish bones. For this specific subgroup, in the absence of clinical findings, discharge without imaging studies may be considered safe. (AU)

Hematoma esofágico espontáneo: a propósito de un caso / Spontaneous esophagic hematoma: about a case

El dolor torácico es un motivo frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencias, sin embargo, el hematoma esofágico es una causa muy poco frecuente. Se manifiesta más frecuentemente en mujeres de edad media y avanzada, con una triada de dolor torácico súbito, disfagia u odinofagia y hematemesis. Presentamos un caso de una mujer de 89 años con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial en tratamiento, usuaria de antihipertensivos y aspirina, con una historia de dos días de evolución de dolor retroesternal, sensación febril, disnea y tos productiva secundario a un hematoma esofágico.

Thoracic pain is a frequent reason for consultation in the emergency department, however, esophageal hematoma is a very rare cause. It manifests more commonly in women of middle and advanced age, with a triad of sudden chest pain, dysphagia or odynophagia and hematemesis. We present a case of a 89 years old female patient, with a history of arterial hypertension in treatment, user of antihypertensive drugs and aspirin with a two day history of retrosternal pain, febrile sensation, dyspnea and productive cough due to a esophageal hematoma.

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.

Diverticulo de esofago médio: relato de caso / Middle esophageal diverticulum: a case report

Introdução:Divertículos esofagianos são alterações esofá-gicas raras e podem ser classificados em proximais, médios ou distais, de acordo com a localização. Podem ser de pulsão ou tração e verdadeiro ou falso. Na dependência do tamanho do divertículo e da concomitância de doença associada, po-dem causar disfagia, regurgitação, mau hálito, rouquidão ou pneumopatias, podendo ter indicação de ressecção cirúrgica. O diagnóstico é suspeitado pela história clínica e confirmado pelo exame radiológico contrastado e pela endoscopia diges-tiva alta. Objetivo: Relatar o caso raro de uma paciente com divertículo de esôfago médio. Materiais e Métodos: Revisão do prontuário, registro fotográfico dos métodos diagnósticos e revisão da literatura. Resultados: Paciente feminina, 61 anos, encaminhada ao ambulatório do hospital de base de São José do Rio Preto, com queixa de disfagia progressiva para alimentos sólidos aproximadamente há cinco anos, associado à odinofagia, eructação intensa e perda ponderal nesse período de 10 quilos. A endoscopia digestiva alta, mostrou divertículo no terço médio do esôfago, 25 cm da arcada dentária supe-rior, com óstio de 3-4 cm de diâmetro e 3 cm de profundidade. A tomografia computadorizada de tórax confirmou a presen-ça do divertículo de esôfago em terço médio do esôfago, sem outros achados que justificassem sua presença. A paciente foi submetida à videotoracoscopia com ressecção do divertículo sem intercorrências. Atualmente, a paciente apresenta-se as-sintomática no acompanhamento clínico. Conclusão: Embora seja considerada uma alteração esofágica rara, os divertículos esofagianos, devem sempre ser considerados como diagnósti-co diferencial. Especialmente em casos de disfagia, halitose e enfermidades respiratórias por broncoaspiração. Em casos de pacientes sintomáticos e com dificuldade no tratamento clinico, a melhor opção terapêutica é a cirurgia com a excisão local do divertículo via toracotomia ou toracoscopia.

Introduction:Esophageal diverticula are rare conditions of the esophagus and can be classified according to their location in proximal, middle, or distal. Further categorization relates to presumed etiology, namely traction vs pulsion, true or false. Depending on the size of the diverticulum and the concomitance of associated disease, it can cause dysphagia, regurgitation, bad breath, hoarseness or pneumopathies. Thus, symptomatic patients are eligible surgical resection. The diagnosis is suspected by clinical history and confirmed by contrast radiological examination and upper digestive endoscopy. Objective: Present the case of a patient with middle esophageal diverticulum. Materials and Methods: We carried out a review of medical records, photographic record of diagnostic methods, and review from the literature. Results: A 61-year-old female patient was referred to the outpatient clinic at a teaching hospital (Hospital de Base), located in the city the São José do Rio Preto, inland of São Paulo State due to progressive complaints of dysphagia for solid foods for about 5 years, associated with odynophagia and severe eructation. She had a 10 kg weight loss in this period. Upper digestive endoscopy showed a diverticulum in the middle third of the esophagus, 25 cm from the dental arcade, with an ostium diameter of 3-4 cm and depth of 3 cm. A chest computed tomography confirmed the presence of an esophageal diverticulum in the middle third of the esophagus, in addition to other findings that justify its presence. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy with diverticulum resection without further complications. Currently, she is asymptomatic in clinical follow-up. Conclusion: Although it is considered a rare outgrowth, esophageal diverticula should always be considered as a differential diagnosis, especially in cases of dysphagia, halitosis, and respiratory diseases due to bronchoaspiration. In cases of symptomatic patients with difficulty to undergo clinical treatment, the best therapeutic option is a surgery with local excision of the diverticulum via thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.

Spontaneous Intramural Full-Length Dissection of Esophagus Treated with Surgical Intervention: Multidetector CT Diagnosis with Multiplanar Reformations and Virtual Endoscopic Display

Intramural esophageal dissection (IED) is an uncommon disorder characterized by separation of the mucosal and submucosal layers of the esophagus. Iatrogenic intervention is the most common cause of IED, but spontaneous dissection is rare. We report an unusually complicated case of spontaneous IED that involved the full-length of the esophagus that necessitated surgical intervention due to infection of the false lumen. In this case, chest computed tomography successfully established the diagnosis and aided in pre-operative evaluation with the use of various image post-processing techniques.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Arterial Esophageal Bleeding with the Use of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for the treatment of arterial esophageal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Between August 2000 and April 2008, five patients diagnosed with arterial esophageal bleeding by conventional angiography, CT-angiography or endoscopy, underwent a TAE with NBCA. We mixed NBCA with iodized oil at ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 to supply radiopacity and achieve a proper polymerization time. After embolization, we evaluated the angiographic and clinical success, recurrent bleeding, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: The bleeding esophageal artery directly originated from the aorta in four patients and from the left inferior phrenic artery in one patient. Although four patients had an underlying coagulopathy at the time of the TAE, angiographic and clinical success was achieved in all five patients. In addition, no procedure-related complications such as esophageal infarction were observed during this study. CONCLUSION: NBCA can be an effective and feasible embolic agent in patients with active arterial esophageal bleeding, even with pre-existing coagulopathy.

Development of two oral contrast materials for CT evaluation of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is a widely available modality in evaluating benign and malignant diseases of the esophagus. To date, there is no substantial consensus on the optimal and widely available method for opacifying the esophageal lumen exists for CT OBJECTIVE: The present study was performedf or complete and continuous opacification of the esophagus using two developed oral contrast materials and a commercial barium paste formulated for CT MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and seven adult patients were sent for spiral routine CT scan of the chest (Light speed plus; General Electric Medical System, Milwaukee, Wis., USA) to evaluate variety of clinical conditions at Ramathibodi Hospital. They were divided into three groups. Two developed oral contrast materials, 1.5%(wt/vol) carboxy-methyl cellulose sodium paste containing 2%(wt/vol) barium sulfate and 5.5%(wt/vol) potato starch containing 2%(wt/vol) barium sulfate, and a commercial barium paste were randomly administered Data collection and analysis of the CT findings were performed double blindly. Results: The patients undergoing CT scan of the chest were performed with one of the oral contrast material. No streak artifact was present in any of the CT slices. Of the grade 1, contrast present without luminal distension and grade 2, contrast present with luminal distension, 1.5% CMC containing 2% barium sulfate was opacified in 36.48% and 17.45/o, respectively. Opacification with 5.5% starch containing 2% barium sulfate was of 36.41% and 19.71% while that of 3% commercial barium paste was of 36.68% and 27.54%, respectively. Acceptable taste was also achieved However, mild to moderate difficulty in swallowing occurred in 35% with no medication or intervention needed CONCLUSION: All oral contrast materials tested were less continuous and did not opacified the esophageal lumen as much when compared with the prior studies. However, acceptable taste, only mild to moderate difficulty in swallowing during the procedure, and significantly cheaper cost enable them to be used in selected cases in CT scan of the neck, chest, and upper abdomen for clarification of the problem areas.

Oesophagomyotomy with partial fundoplication for achalasia of the cardia

Twelve patients with achalasia of the cardia were surgically treated over a four-year period. The diagnosis was established through clinical, radiological and endoscopic findings, while oesophageal manometry was performed in 9 cases. All patients underwent oesophagomyotomy with; anterior partial fundoplication in 5 cases and posterior partial fundoplication in 7 cases. There were no peri-operative mortality or significant morbidity among these patients. One year after surgery, the outcome was excellent in 8 cases [66.7%] and good in 3 cases [25%] while, one patient with mega-oesophagus failed to improve and underwent oesophageal resection and colonic replacement. Postoperative radiological studies showed non-reflux of barium in the examined cases while, oesophageal manometry revealed the presence of a small high pressure zone in the 8 cases examined, that mostly prevented the reflux but did not cause postfundoplication oesophageal obstruction. Follow-up [mean +/- s.e was 2.4 +/- 0.2 years] revealed no cases of recurrent dysphagia or symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux. The success rate of this series was 91.7% and as the procedure is simple, needs no special skills and obviates the need for thoracotomy or to excise part of the oesophageal muscle, we recommend it as a primary management of achalasia of the cardia

Tube esophagogram: a better radiological technique for evaluation of esophageal diseases.

Forty-six patients with suspected esophageal disease were studied by tube esophagography. This was performed by positioning a rubber tube in the proximal esophagus, followed by swallowing of high density barium suspension and insufflation of air through the tube. Comparison in 20 cases showed superiority of tube study over conventional double contrast barium, with alteration in diagnosis in six cases and additional information in 14 cases. Tube esophagogram is a safe, simple and valuable adjunctive technique leading to accurate and definitive radiological diagnosis of esophageal disease.