Suitability and efficacy of submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for the treatment of giant leiomyoma in the middle and lower esophagus

Abstract

Esophageal leiomyoma constitutes the majority of benign esophageal tumors, and detection rates are increasing. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) is a new technique developed to treat patients with esophageal leiomyoma, but the viability of STER for treating giant esophageal leiomyoma (GEL), particularly in the lower esophagus and close to the cardia, requires verification. This retrospective study assessed the efficacy of STER for the treatment of GEL. From January 2016 to April 2018, 10 patients underwent STER and endoscopic ultrasonography at the Endoscopic Center in Jianyang People's Hospital, and were found with histopathologically confirmed esophageal leiomyoma >3 cm. These cases were reviewed for successful excision, postoperative complications, and tumor recurrence. Seven of the 10 patients were men. Diagnoses of esophageal leiomyoma and negative resection margins were postoperatively confirmed in all 10 patients. All GELs were successfully excised. The mean operative time was 70.3 min (range, 28-100 min). The largest resected tumor was 14 cm. No adverse event occurred, and no delayed bleeding or associated infection. The patients were given postoperative conservative treatment and discharged. The mean hospitalization was 5.8 days (range, 3-10 d). During the scheduled follow-ups at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-STER, patients reported neither abdominal discomfort nor pain. No recurrent esophageal leiomyoma was detected at the follow-ups 3 months or longer following STER. STER is an effective and safe endoscopic resection technique for treating patients with GEL. Men may be at greater risk than women of developing GEL.

Keywords: esophageal leiomyoma; esophageal tumor; gastroendoscopy; giant leiomyoma; submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection.