Possible relationship between esophageal dilatation and severity of M. abscessus pulmonary disease

Objectives Recently, incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) pulmonary disease (Mab-PD) is increasing worldwide. We aimed to identify factors associated with severity of Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) pulmonary disease (Mab-PD). Methods All patients diagnosed as Mab-PD based on the official ATS/IDSA statement between 2017 January 1 and 2021 July 31 were included (n = 13). We reviewed medical records, bacteriological and laboratory data of the patients. Severity of lung lesions and esophageal diameters in chest CT were quantitatively evaluated. Gaffky score in the sputum was used as airway mycobacterial burden. We explored the factors associated with high CT score and high Gaffky score. Results Maximum diameter of esophagus (MDE) in severe disease (CT score≧10) was greater than that in milder disease (CT score<10) (18.0±7.9mm, 9.3±3.1mm, respectively, p = 0.01), and MDE was well correlated with CT score (R = 0.69, p = 0.007). MDE in high mycobacterial burden group (Gaffky score ≧5) tended to be greater than that in low mycobacterial burden group (Gaffky score <5) (16.1±6.8mm, 10.1±5.5mm, respectively, p = 0.12), and MDE was well correlated with Gaffky score (R = 0.68, p = 0.009). Lung lesions were bilateral and predominant in middle or lower lobes. Conclusions Esophageal dilatation was correlated with severity of Mab-PD and airway mycobacterial burden. Gastroesophageal reflux might be associated with Mab disease progression.

Intramural Esophageal Hematoma Following Endoscopic Biopsy

Background: Intramural esophageal hematoma (IEH) is a rare form of esophageal injury, which may occur spontaneously, or be following esophageal dilatation, food impaction, improper swallowing of drug pills, thrombolysis therapy, or coagulopathy. However, it is uncommon that IEH could be induced by endoscopic biopsy.Case presentation: We report a 58-year-old male patient who developed chest pain and hematemesis after endoscopic biopsy. Fourteen days later, esophageal ulcer and hematoma disappeared by conservative management. After 3 months, gastroscopy showed old esophageal scar, and mucous healed completely.Conclusion: IEH is a rare complication of endoscopic biopsy, which is easily ignored. Moreover, It could be cured by conservative treatment.

Idiopathic Esophageal Lipomatosis: An Incidental Benign Discovery

Gastrointestinal (GI) lipomatosis has been reported in the GI medicine literature, but esophageal lipomatosis has never been reported at all. We report the case of an 86-year-old man with multiple medical comorbidities who was admitted to our hospital for community-acquired pneumonia. Computed tomography angiography of his pulmonary arteries ruled out the possibility of pulmonary embolism but showed a 9-mm circumferential wall thickening in the proximal esophagus measuring −172 HU, which is similar in opacity to the adipose tissue. The patient was asymptomatic and without any current or prior symptoms of dysphagia or odynophagia. The barium esophagogram was unremarkable; there were no strictures, masses, or mucosal abnormalities. There was no evidence of esophageal dilatation on either imaging modality. Esophageal lipomatosis is only described in a few case reports in the radiological literature and, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the GI literature at all. It is important to highlight in the GI literature this as a benign entity that does not cause symptoms and typically does not warrant invasive diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Esophageal Dilatation in Pediatric Patients with Esophageal Strictures

Background and Objectives. Benign strictures are the main cause of esophageal strictures in children. They can be managed by different modalities but endoscopic dilatation is the standard therapy. This study is aimed at reviewing the efficacy and safety of endoscopic dilatations in children with esophageal strictures. Materials and Methods. In this retrospective cross-sectional single center study, records of patients with esophageal strictures presented to the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, in the period between 1995 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, indications of endoscopic dilatations, the procedure success rate, and possible complications were assessed. Results. Forty-six children were found to have esophageal strictures. Twenty-five (54.3%) patients were males. Most patients presented during infancy (86.5%, 32/37 patients). Twenty-six (56.5%) patients required 88 dilatation sessions, while the remaining 20 (43.5%) patients did not require dilatations. The median number of dilatation sessions per patient was three (interquartile range = 2 –5). Savary-Gilliard bougienages were the main dilators used (80.8%, 21/26 patients). Anastomotic stricture (post esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair) was the main cause of esophageal strictures and was found in 35 (76.1%) patients. Patients with nonanastomotic strictures had more frequent dilatations compared to those with anastomotic strictures ( P = 0.007 ). The procedure success rate was 98.8%. Yet, it was operator dependent ( P = 0.047 ). Complete response to dilatation was found in 18 (69.2%) patients, satisfactory in seven (26.9%), and an inadequate response in one (3.9%). Those with satisfactory responses still require ongoing dilatations based on their symptoms and radiological and endoscopic findings. No perforation or mortality was reported. Patients with dilatations had more recurrent hospitalization ( P < 0.0001 ), more dysphagia ( P = 0.001 ), but shorter hospital stay ( P = 0.046 ) compared to those without dilatations. Surgical intervention was required in one patient with caustic strictures. The median follow-up period was six years (interquartile range = 2.25 –9.0). Conclusions. Endoscopic esophageal dilatation in children with esophageal strictures is effective and safe. Yet, it was operator dependent. Nonanastomotic strictures require more dilatations compared to anastomotic strictures. Findings of this study are comparable to those reported worldwide.

Acquired megaesophagus in a dog – case report

Acquired megaesophagus is an uncommon cause of regurgitation in dogs. Diagnosis is confirmed by simple or contrast radiographs, endoscopy, tomography, scintigraphy, or magnetic resonance imaging. Esophagography with barium sulphate contrast is the most commonly used method, however, it may be inconclusive if dilation marking does not occur. This paper reports the case of a 9-year-old female dog, with a history of regurgitation over six months, simple and contrast radiographic exams showing no evidence of megaesophagus. The esophagography exam was repeated with the addition of barium contrast mixed with commercial dry pet food, which verified esophageal dilatation and confirmed megaesophagus. Although this technique is not widely used, it is an effective alternative method for diagnosis of canine megaesophagus, particularly when other radiographic approaches are inconclusive.