Intramucosal esophageal dissection after esophagogastroduodenoscopy: two case reports

Abstract

Introduction: Intramucosal esophageal dissection (IED) is an uncommon disorder, described as the separation of the mucosa and/or submucosa from deeper muscular layers due to abrupt increase in intraesophageal pressure. Case presentation: The first case il that of a 52 – years old female patient who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy for control. After the procedure an extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the neck and a massive pneumomediastinum occurred. The patient was successfully treated with a conservative approach. The second case is that of a 43-years old male patient affected by Down’s Syndrome, who underwent an esopagogastroduodenoscopy because of persisting dysphagia. The endoscopic showed the presence of a serrated stricture at 20 centimeters from dental arcade. After the procedure he fell dysphagia. A neck-chest TC-SCAN showed superior and posterior pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, without signs of mediastinitis. The patient was successfully treated with conservative approach. After a few days, a new chest CT-SCAN showed the presence of an anomalous right subclavian artery arising from the descending part of the aortic arch, causing dysphagia lusoria. Discussion: The causes of IED include iatrogenic instrumentation, hemostatic applications, mucosal injuries from ingestion of sharp foreign body, or spontaneous. A fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal series or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has been widely used to diagnose IED. CT and magnetic resonance are useful for differential diagnosis. In the absence of signs of mediastinitis management is conservative. Conclusion: CT SCAN should be the first exam to perform in the suspicion of IED. The first line treatment should be conservative. In case of the onset of complications and in patients who are refractory to conservative management, endoscopic or surgical treatment are indicated.