Esophageal leiomyomas presenting as a mediastinal mass

Abstract

Although benign tumors of the esophagus are very rare, the leiomyomas are frequently recorded. Most of them are small, asymptomatic and without risk of malignant degeneration. These benign tumors are usually discovered fortuitously on endoscopy. Sometimes, they may manifest clinically by dysphagia, hematemesis or other signs. They may mimic the esophageal cancer, which is more frequent, or some mediastinal tumors. The diagnosis can be oriented by the barium swallow esophagogram or other imaging methods, yet, only the histological examination gives the confirmation of the diagnosis. We report the case of a 50-year-old man, non-smoker, complaining of dysphagia, epigastric pain and deterioration of general condition. The clinical and radiological presentation mimicked a mediastinal tumor. Surgery was performed, and histological examination concluded to two leiomyomas of the esophagus.