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DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1358925
Extensive intramural hematoma of the esophagus following endoscopic mucosal resection
Intramural esophageal hematoma (IEH) is a rare but well-recognized endoscopic finding, which forms part of the spectrum of esophageal mucosal injuries [1] [2]. It results from disruption of the vasculature within the submucosal plane of the esophageal wall. This leads to dissection of the submucosa by blood, which extends the length of the esophagus and causes intramural expansion and compression of the lumen, resulting in symptoms [1]. The endoscopic appearance is characterized by a distinct, dark bluish mass bulging into the esophageal lumen, which may be localized or diffuse. Although spontaneous IEH is well described [3], reports of iatrogenic causes are uncommon. Procedure-related causes include violent retching during endoscopy, esophageal biopsy, variceal band ligation, sclerotherapy, and dilatation [4] [5] [6] [7]. We present the first reported case of IEH following esophageal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
En-bloc EMR was performed using a Duette multiband mucosectomy device (Cook Medical, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA) on a 15-mm Paris 0-IIa mid-esophageal squamous carcinoma ([Fig. 1 a, b]). Initial brisk nonpulsatile bleeding occurred at the resection margin ([Fig. 1 c]) and was treated using a snare-tip soft-coagulation technique [8]. Hemostasis appeared to be successfully achieved ([Fig. 1 d, e]), but a slowly enlarging, dark blue protrusion of the esophageal wall was then observed, consistent with an IEH that was extending craniocaudally from the mucosal defect ([Fig. 1 f]). Minor oozing was observed from the previous treatment point and was controlled with two hemostatic clips ([Fig. 1 f]).
Although luminal hemostasis had been achieved, the IEH continued to expand, extending distally to involve the lesser curve of the stomach and obliterating the esophageal lumen. After approximately 5 minutes, the hematoma stopped expanding, possibly because of tamponade of the bleeding vessel within the submucosal layer.
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest was obtained post endoscopy ([Fig. 2]). The patient was managed conservatively with analgesia and clear fluids overnight and was eventually discharged 24 hours later, with no further clinical sequelae on follow-up.
Although rare, IEH may occur following EMR. Prompt recognition is vital to avoid potentially unnecessary therapeutic interventions. Treatment is usually conservative, with the majority of cases recovering spontaneously.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AZ
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Competing interests: None
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References
- 1 Younes Z, Johnson DA. The spectrum of spontaneous and iatrogenic esophageal injury: perforations, Mallory–Weiss tears, and hematomas. J Clin Gastroenterol 1999; 29: 306-317
- 2 Restrepo CS, Lemos DF, Ocazionez D et al. Intramural hematoma of the esophagus: a pictorial essay. Emerg Radiol 2008; 15: 13-22
- 3 Yamashita K, Okuda H, Fukushima H et al. A case of intramural esophageal hematoma: complication of anticoagulation with heparin. Gastrointest Endosc 2000; 52: 559-561
- 4 Chen CC, Yang CY, Wang HP et al. Gastrointestinal: dissecting esophageal hematoma with a Mallory–Weiss tear. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008; 23: 1943
- 5 Yang JN, Lim YJ, Kang JH et al. Intramural hematoma of the esophagus after endoscopic pinch biopsy and endoscopic band ligation. Korean J Gastroenterol Endosc 2010; 40: 107-110
- 6 Adachi T, Togashi H, Watanabe H et al. Endoscopic incision for esophageal intramural hematoma after injection sclerotherapy: case report. Gastrointest Endosc 2003; 58: 466-468
- 7 Bradley JL, Han SY. Intramural hematoma (incomplete perforation) of the esophagus associated with esophageal dilatation. Radiology 1979; 130: 59-62
- 8 Fahrtash-Bahin F, Holt BA, Jayasekeran V et al. Snare tip soft coagulation achieves effective and safe endoscopic hemostasis during wide-field endoscopic resection of large colonic lesions (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc 2013; 78: 158-163
Corresponding author
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References
- 1 Younes Z, Johnson DA. The spectrum of spontaneous and iatrogenic esophageal injury: perforations, Mallory–Weiss tears, and hematomas. J Clin Gastroenterol 1999; 29: 306-317
- 2 Restrepo CS, Lemos DF, Ocazionez D et al. Intramural hematoma of the esophagus: a pictorial essay. Emerg Radiol 2008; 15: 13-22
- 3 Yamashita K, Okuda H, Fukushima H et al. A case of intramural esophageal hematoma: complication of anticoagulation with heparin. Gastrointest Endosc 2000; 52: 559-561
- 4 Chen CC, Yang CY, Wang HP et al. Gastrointestinal: dissecting esophageal hematoma with a Mallory–Weiss tear. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008; 23: 1943
- 5 Yang JN, Lim YJ, Kang JH et al. Intramural hematoma of the esophagus after endoscopic pinch biopsy and endoscopic band ligation. Korean J Gastroenterol Endosc 2010; 40: 107-110
- 6 Adachi T, Togashi H, Watanabe H et al. Endoscopic incision for esophageal intramural hematoma after injection sclerotherapy: case report. Gastrointest Endosc 2003; 58: 466-468
- 7 Bradley JL, Han SY. Intramural hematoma (incomplete perforation) of the esophagus associated with esophageal dilatation. Radiology 1979; 130: 59-62
- 8 Fahrtash-Bahin F, Holt BA, Jayasekeran V et al. Snare tip soft coagulation achieves effective and safe endoscopic hemostasis during wide-field endoscopic resection of large colonic lesions (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc 2013; 78: 158-163