Endoscopic submucosal dissection of an esophageal granular cell tumor

Successful endoscopic submucosal dissection of an esophageal granular cell tumor in a pediatric patient: A case report and a therapeutic insight

Esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that originate from the Schwann cells of the neural sheath in the esophageal wall. Esophageal GCTs represent approximately 2% of all GCTs. Most cases of esophageal GCT occur in adults with few cases reported in pediatric patients. Although typically benign, these tumors can occasionally exhibit malignant behavior, necessitating timely and appropriate intervention. Traditionally, surgical resection was considered for treatment, nonetheless, considering the invasive nature of such interventions, endoscopic approaches have been developed for diagnosis and treatment. Endoscopic approaches have been shown to lead to serious complications at times, such as incomplete resection or perforation. Here, we present a successful application of endoscopic submucosal dissection in the treatment of an adolescent female patient with esophageal GCT which was discovered during her prior esophagogastroduodenoscopy for vomiting.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic resection in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal granular cell tumors

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Diagnosis and complete resection of esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) is an area of concern. However, articles on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic resection of esophageal granular cell tumors are few. To evaluate the role of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic resection in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal granular cell tumors.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 15 patients with esophageal granular cell tumors who underwent endoscopic ultrasound examination and endoscopic resection in our hospital was conducted. The clinical data, endoscopic ultrasound images, endoscopic treatment, pathological characteristics, postoperative complications and follow-up status of all patients were evaluated. Ten board-certified endoscopists independently evaluated the white light endoscopic images of the 15 patients (Test 1) and the endoscopic ultrasound images together with white light endoscopic images of the same patient set (Test 2).

RESULT

Female patients accounted for 53.4% of the participants. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 49.13 ± 9.31 years old. Ten lesions (66.67%) showed hypoechoic signal, four lesions (26.67%) showed hyperechoic signal and one lesion showed medium signal. The diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher with Test 2(65.3% vs. 92.0%, p < .001). Complete endoscopic resection was performed in all the patients. No complications occurred in any of the patients. No esophageal stenosis, recurrence, or metastases was found in all patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic ultrasound images of esophageal granular cell tumors have certain characteristics that help diagnose esophageal granular cell tumors. Endoscopic resection of esophageal granular cell tumors is an effective, safe and feasible treatment method.

Experience with Esophageal Granular Cell Tumors: Clinical and Endoscopic Analysis of 22 Cases

BACKGROUND

Esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare tumors. Differences in reports on the clinical features of GCTs in the esophagus and some controversies about the diagnostic strategy for esophageal GCTs exist.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the clinical features and diagnosis of esophageal GCTs. Additionally, we sought to determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and reflux esophagitis in patients with esophageal GCTs.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the clinical features, endoscopic features, and management of 22 patients with esophageal GCTs.

RESULTS

Esophageal GCTs were more common in men than in women with a ratio of 1.2:1 and were predominantly found in the distal esophagus. Ten patients with esophageal GCTs had regurgitation and/or heartburn symptoms, and eight patients were confirmed to have reflux esophagitis by endoscopy. All esophageal GCTs were protuberant lesions covered by normal esophageal epithelium. The endoscopic morphology of esophageal GCTs was diverse. On endoscopic ultrasonography, these tumors appeared as homogeneous or inhomogeneous hypoechoic lesions with clear borders originating from the submucosal or mucosal layer. Eleven patients underwent endoscopic forceps biopsy at the first endoscopy, and only six patients were correctly diagnosed by pathology. Nevertheless, the 18 lesions treated with endoscopic resection were all correctly diagnosed without complications, and no patients developed recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of esophageal GCTs may be related to esophageal inflammation. As a method for obtaining an accurate pathological diagnosis and for treatment, endoscopic resection should be offered as the primary option for patients with esophageal GCTs.

Ligation-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal granular cell tumors is safe and effective

Given their malignant potential, resection of esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) is often undertaken, yet the optimal technique is unknown. We present a large series of dedicated endoscopic resection using band ligation (EMR-B) of esophageal GCTs. Patients diagnosed with esophageal GCTs between 2002 and 2019 were identified using a prospectively collected pathology database. Endoscopic reports were reviewed, and patients who underwent dedicated EMR-B of esophageal GCTs were included. Medical records were queried for demographics, findings, adverse events, and follow-up. We identified 21 patients who underwent dedicated EMR-B for previously identified esophageal GCT. Median age was 39 years; 16 (76%) were female. Eight (38%) had preceding signs or symptoms, potentially attributable to the GCT. Upon endoscopic evaluation, 12 (57%) were found in the distal esophagus. Endoscopic ultrasound was used in 15 cases (71%). Median lesion size was 7 mm, interquartile range 4 mm-8 mm. The largest lesion was 12 mm. A total of 20 (95%) had en bloc resection confirmed with pathologic examination. The only patient with tumor extending to the resection margin underwent surveillance endoscopy that showed no residual tumor. No patients experienced bleeding, perforation, or stricturing in our series. No patients have had known recurrence of their esophageal GCT. EMR-B of esophageal GCT achieves complete histopathologic resection with minimal adverse events. EMR-B is safe and effective and seems prudent compared with observation for what could be an aggressive and malignant tumor. EMR-B should be considered first-line therapy when resecting esophageal GCT up to 12 mm in diameter.