Could subclinical esophageal submucosal mass be followed-up after systematic examination / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the choice between direct operation and followed- up observation for subclinical esophageal submucosal mass. Methods The clinical data of 133 patients with subclinical esophageal submucosal mass from February 1996 to October 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the modes of intervention direct operation group (82 cases) and followed-up group (51 cases). Their clinical data, imaging, endoscopy information, modes of intervention and final outcome were compared. Results All of the 133 patients were considered as esophageal leiomyoma. The age and body examination detection rate in direct operation group were significantly lower than those in followed-up group (47.7 ± 13.1) years vs. (52.2 ± 10.1) years and 15.9% (13/82) vs. 37.3% (19/51), the tumor diameter, case history and incidence of chest and abdominal pain were significantly higher than those in followed-up group (2.2 ± 1.4) cm vs. (1.7 ± 1.0) cm, 51 (44, 60) months vs. 47 (40, 55) months and 28.0% (23/82) vs. 9.8% (5/51), and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05 or ＜0.01). There was no operative mortality in direct operation group, and the incidence of mild surgical complication was 8.5% (7/82); the pathological result showed that esophageal leiomyoma and other benign diseases were in 70 cases, and malignant disease in 12 cases (12 cases of malignant diseases who missed diagnosis before operation were mostly caused by incomplete examination.). In followed-up group, the mean observation time was 35.5 (3 to 240) months, disease progression was in 23 cases (45.1%, 23/51), 3 cases developed new-onset symptoms, 20 cases increased in diameter, and the average doubling time was 856 (126 to 2 891) d. Twenty-seven patients eventually underwent surgery (52.9%, 27/51, post-observation intervention group), without perioperative death, and the incidence of surgical complication was 7.4% (2/27). The pathological result showed that esophageal leiomyoma and other benign diseases were in 23 cases, and malignant disease in 4 cases. Compared with direct operation group, post-observation intervention group had no delayed treatment due to the observation and did not increase the surgery risk and difficulty, and no malignant transformation occurred. Conclusions Subclinical esophageal submucosal mass could be followed up, but endoscopic ultrasonography, CT and gastrointestinal angiography must be performed and must be followed up closely.