A case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with abscopal effect after nivolumab administration

Background The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon in which local irradiation causes tumor regression outside the irradiated area. There have been no reports of abscopal effect in patients with gastrointestinal melanoma with metastasis. Here, we report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with abscopal effect after long-term treatment with nivolumab. Case presentation A 75-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a gastroesophageal lesion. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a raised lesion on the posterior wall of the greater curvature of the cardia and tenderness in the lower esophagus. Immunostaining of the tumor biopsy showed positive staining for Melan-A, human melanoma black-45 (HMB45), and S-100, indicating malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a mildly stained lesion protruding into the cardiac part of stomach and enlarged surrounding lymph nodes. The patient was diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction and proximal gastrectomy with lower esophagus resection was performed. Histological examination showed large, round tumor cells with nuclear atypia. Immunostaining was positive for Melan A, HMB45, S-100 protein, and SRY-box transcription factor 10, and the final diagnosis was malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction, with regional lymph node metastases. Three months after surgery, follow-up CT indicated left pleural metastasis; therefore, the patient was administered nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Following three courses of nivolumab, the patient exhibited grade 3 renal dysfunction (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0). After that, we have not administered nivolumab treatment. Five months after the development of renal dysfunction, a CT scan demonstrated an unstained nodule within the pancreatic, and the patient was diagnosed with pancreatic metastasis; intensity-modulated radiotherapy was performed. Six months later, CT revealed pancreatic nodule and pleural metastasis was shrunk; after an additional 2 months, pleural metastasis and effusion had disappeared. The patient is alive with no additional lesions. Conclusions We report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagogastric junction with an abscopal effect following nivolumab treatment. The findings of this case report suggest that ICIs in combination with radiotherapy may be effective for treating metastatic or recurrent malignant melanoma of the gastrointestinal tract.

Aortic compression of the esophagus: A case report and literature review

Distal aortic compression of the lower esophagus with consecutive dilatation of the proximal esophagus was first described in the literature in 1932. Here, the authors describe the case of a 66 year-old male complaining of gastroesophageal reflux. Due to a positive family history of carcinoma of the esophagus and compression of the dorsal esophagus during an esophageal barium swallow test, further tests were performed. Endoscopy and CT exam revealed a dilated esophagus due to compression of a crossing aorta. Because of mild symptoms and the absence of dysphagia, no further treatment was necessary except for the use of a proton pump inhibitor and recommended follow-ups every one to two years.

Real world management of esophageal ulcers : analysis of their presentation, etiology, and outcomes

Background and study aims : Esophageal ulcers are a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal morbidity and may be due to different etiologies. We sought to systematically evaluate patients with esophageal ulcers and describe their presentations, endoscopic findings, etiologies, treatments, and outcomes. Patients and methods : Patients diagnosed with esophageal ulcers over an 11-year period were retrospectively identified from our institution’s electronic medical records. Results : We identified 100 patients with esophageal ulcers (0.49% of patients undergoing upper endoscopy). Half of them presented due to gastrointestinal bleeding and three-quarters were admitted to the hospital. The majority were in the lower esophagus. Twenty-two unique etiologies, including multiple iatrogenic causes, were diagnosed in 91 of the cases. The most common etiology was gastroesophageal reflux disease (57%), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (7%), malignancies (3%), vomiting (3%), caustic ingestion (2%), pill esophagitis (2%) and radiation (2%). Many etiologies showed a predilection for specific segments of the esophagus. Nine ulcers required endoscopic intervention and all were treated successfully. Repeat endoscopies were performed 5 times for diagnostic or “second look” reasons, none of which changed the patients’ diagnosis or treatment. No patients required surgery or stricture dilation. One patient’s ulcer was complicated by perforation and he subsequently died. Four other patients died from non-ulcer related causes. Conclusions : While the majority of ulcers were due to gastro-esophageal reflux disease, 22 different etiologies were identified. Many were due to medication or iatrogenic causes. Repeat endoscopy did not appear to be helpful. While the incidence was low, they were frequently associated with significant morbidity.

Development of Epidermoid Metaplasia of the Mucosa in Association with Esophageal Intramural Pseudodiverticulosis and Candidiasis

We report a case of epidermoid metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa that developed in a patient with a long history of esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) complicated by candidiasis. The patient, a 69-year-old man, had been treated for about 3 years for EIPD with candidiasis. After candidiasis improved, the development of epidermoid metaplasia of the esophageal mucosa was observed. It comprised longitudinally arranged, multiple, small, whitish flecks with a scaly appearance on the mucosa of the middle to lower esophagus, and pathological examination demonstrated several fine keratohyalin granules in superficial layers of the squamous epithelium. Six months later, candidiasis was almost cured, but these small flecks had slightly increased in size, and pathological examination demonstrated epidermoid metaplasia consisting of a thick, acellular keratin layer and well-developed granular layer beneath it. We considered that chronic candida esophagitis played the principal pathogenetic role in the development of epidermoid metaplasia. EIPD may have provided an environment suitable for the growth of fungi, and mucinous material contaminated by <i>Candida</i> and excreted from the orifices of EIPD may have irritated the mucosa and induced epidermoid metaplasia.

Missed Giant Lower Esophageal Leiomyoma in a Young Female Presenting with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Esophageal leiomyoma is a rare disease commonly reported in middle-aged patients with a male predominance. Many patients are asymptomatic, and a few may present with symptoms such as dysphagia and chest pain. However, heartburn is only reported in patients with accompanying hiatal hernia. We hereby report a giant lower esophageal leiomyoma with concomitant hiatal hernia in a young Vietnamese female, who presented with refractory gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. The diagnosis was challenging as the tumor grew outward. As a consequence, the patient did not experience dysphagia and the tumor was hardly detected under endoscopy. The hiatal hernia in this patient was probably related to the presence of the leiomyoma. It is important to look carefully for submucosal tumor at the lower esophagus and cardia under endoscopy in patients with similar manifestations.

Successful thoracoscopic treatment for tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation group IB with dextrocardia: a case report of VACTERL association

Background A communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation (CBPFM) group IB is very rare congenital malformation. Group IB is associated with tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEF-EA) and a portion of one lung arisen from the esophagus (Gerle et al. in N Engl J Med. 278:1413–1419, 1968). The coexistence of TEF-EA and dextrocardia is also a rare and challenging setting for repair of TEF-EA. Therefore, the thoracoscopic surgery for TEF-EA require the technical devise because of the small operative space. We herein report a rare case of CBPFM group IB with intralobar sequestration of lung and a successful performing of thoracoscopic surgery for EA with dextrocardia in VACTERL association. Case presentation A 2.2-kg term male neonate was born with an anal atresia, coarctation of the aorta, TEF-EA, renal anomalies, radial hemimelia, limb abnormalities (VACTERL association) and hypoplasia of the right lung with dextrocardia. The patient developed respiratory distress after admission. A two-stage operation for the TEF-EA was planned because of multiple anomalies and cardiac condition. In the neonatal period, esophageal banding at the gastroesophageal junction and gastrostomy were performed to establish enteral nutrition. After gaining body weight and achieving a stable cardiac condition, thoracoscopic surgery for TEF-EA was performed. The thoracoscopic findings revealed a small working space due to dextrocardia. To obtain a sufficient working space and to perform secure esophageal anastomosis, an additional 3-mm assistant port was inserted. To close the upper and lower esophagus, anchoring sutures of the esophagus were placed and were pulled to suspend the anastomotic site. Esophageal anastomosis was successfully performed. An esophagogram after TEF-EA surgery showed the connection between the lower esophagus and right lower lung. The definitive diagnosis was CBPFM group IB with intralobar sequestration. The thoracoscopic surgery was performed again for establishing oral intake. After transection of the bronchoesophageal fistula, the patient could perform oral feeding without pneumonia or respiratory distress. Conclusions CBPFM type IB with intralobar sequestration is a rare condition. CBPFM type IB should be considered for a patients with respiratory symptom after radical operation for TEF-EA. In the present case, suspending the anastomotic site was effective and useful in thoracoscopic surgery for a TEF-EA patient with dextrocardia.

Multichannel impedance monitoring for distinguishing nonerosive reflux esophagitis with minor changes on endoscopy in children

Objectives: There are reports describing the relationship between baseline impedance level and esophageal mucosal integrity at endoscopy, such as erosive and nonerosive reflux esophagitis. However, many children with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease have normal findings or minor changes on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We aimed to examine whether modest changes at esophagogastroduodenoscopy can be evaluated and correlated with esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring. Methods: Patients (ages 0–17 years) with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who underwent combined esophagogastroduodenoscopy and multichannel intraluminal impedance monitoring at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia, between 2014 and 2016 were retrospectively studied and the following data were collected and used for analysis: demographics, multichannel intraluminal impedance data, included baseline impedance. Endoscopic findings were classified by modified Los Angeles grading, Los Angeles N as normal, Los Angeles M as with minimal change such as the erythema, pale mucosa, or friability of the mucosa following biopsy. Patients on proton pump inhibitor were excluded. Results: Seventy patients (43 boys; 61%) were enrolled with a mean age of 7.9 years (range 10 months to 17 years). Fifty-one patients (72.9%) were allocated to Los Angeles N, while Los Angeles M was evident in 19 patients (27.1%). Statistically significant differences were observed in the following parameters: frequency of acid and nonacid reflux and baseline impedance in channels 5 and 6. The median values of the data were 18.3 episodes, 16.0 episodes, 2461.0 Ω, 2446.0 Ω in Los Angeles N, 36.0 episodes, 31.0 episodes, 2033.0 Ω, 2009.0 Ω in Los Angeles M, respectively. Conclusion: Lower baseline impedance is helpful in predicting minimal endoscopic changes in the lower esophagus. A higher frequency of acid and nonacid reflux episodes was also predictive of minimal endoscopic change in the lower esophagus.