Four Cases of Ectopic Sebaceous Glands Confirmed Endoscopically in the Esophagus

Abstract

Abstract: In 1987 a 35‐year‐male undergoing an in‐depth health examination was discovered to have sebaceous glands ectopically situated in the esophagus. This diagnosis was pathologically confirmed by biopsy. During a 5‐year period since this initial case, we came across an additional four patients presenting with similar findings. Ectopic sebaceous glands of the lips, referred to as Fordyce's spots, are a well‐known phenomena. In addition, sebaceous glands have been noted in various ectodermally derived organs including the oral cavity, salivary glands, foreskin and labia. As the esophageal mucosa is endodermally derived, sebaceous glands of this region are regarded to be extremely rare. De La Pava, examining the esophagus of 200 autopsy cases in 1961, coincidentally found ectopic sebaceous glands were present in 4 cases. All were of microscopic dimension. Lesions which were identified macroscopically were reported in 1976 by Zaik, who described sebaceous glands at autopsy as bead‐like, flattened nodules scattered in the middle esophagus. In 1978 Rhamakrishnan reported the first sighting of ectopic sebaceous glands in the esophagus by endoscopy. In Japan Hoshihara29)was the first to report on two patients, followed by the authors’previous communication documenting esophageal sebaceous glands in one patient28). This is therefore the third time that this phenomenon has been reported in Japan. The patients described here represent the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th cases in the world which were diagnosed endoscopically.