Incidental esophageal submucosal tumor detection by chest radiography: A case report

Esophageal submucosal tumors are occasionally detected incidentally during a gastrointestinal survey. In the present study, a case of esophageal leiomyoma is reported, which was incidentally detected by chest radiography during an annual survey of mass-screening for lung cancer. The patient underwent a laparoscopic lower esophagectomy, a proximal gastrectomy and a gastric tube reconstruction. Macroscopic examination revealed a 50×40×28-mm mass, while microscopic examination identified submucosal smooth muscle tissue without mitotic activity or necrosis. The tumor was diagnosed as an esophageal leiomyoma. The patient was asymptomatic during the three-month follow-up period. However, when a mass lesion adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract is detected during chest radiography, the possibility of a rare disease should be considered. Therefore, further investigation with upper gastrointestinal radiography and gastroendoscopy should be performed.