An autopsy case report of diffuse esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis

A case report of diffuse esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) we encountered at autopsy is described. The pseudodiverticula represented dilated excretory ducts of esophageal submucosal glands with squamous metaplasia of the epithelium. They contained keratin flakes, mucin and/or inflammatory cells which were mainly neutrophils. Submucosal chronic inflammation surrounding the glands was prominent. The findings suggested that the ductal dilatation resulted from obstruction of the ducts by inflammatory material, mucus and desquamated epithelium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first autopsy report of diffuse EIPD in Japan.