Submucosal dissection of the esophagus: a case report

A 38-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of dysphagia, sore throat and fever. An upper GI series revealed a "double-barrelled" esophagus. Endoscopic examination of the esophagus showed multiple ulcers and mucosal bridges resulting from laceration of the submucosal layer. An acute ulcer of the stomach was also found. Fasting and total parenteral nutrition for several weeks failed to bring about any changes in the endoscopic findings. As treatment, the mucosal bridges throughout the esophagus were divided with a diathermy knife under endoscopic control. Soon after the procedure, the patient's symptoms disappeared completely, and the massive dissection of the esophagus had improved except for slight depressions.