[Leiomyoma of the esophagus]

Leiomyoma is a benign tumor rarely occurring in the esophagus. Only 1% of esophageal tumors are leiomyomas.

A 70-year-old man underwent surgery for an asymptomatic tumor of the thoracic esophagus. The tumor was enucleated via right thoracotomy and histology confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma. Outcome was favorable.

Leiomyomas of the esophagus generally develop from the muscularis and exceptionally from the muscularis mucosae, producing a parietal tumor or a pediculated endoluminal tumor respectively. Surgery is indicated for all cases, with the possible exception of asymptomatic leiomyoma. Encleation can be achieved by videothoracoscopy. Resection of the esophagus can be discussed if enucleation is impossible for giant tumors, or ring tumors at the esogastric junction, or if the mucosae wound cannot be repaired. Endoscopic resection is indicated for pediculated leiomyoma. Malignant transformation is exceptional but an association between esophageal myomatosis and carcinoma of the esophagus is possible. Certain authors thus advocate resection for all cases, even small asymptomatic leiomyomas.