Giant oesophageal leiomyoma causing severe hypertension
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Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Robotic Enucleation of Esophageal Leiomyoma
Published on: February 20, 2026
Andrea Lovece1, Pamela Milito1, Emanuele Asti1
1Department of Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Leiomyoma is the most common oesophageal tumour and is symptomatic in about half of the patients. Dysphagia is the most common symptom. A 41-year-old woman presented with recent onset of severe orthostatic hypertension. During the cardiological work-up, a mediastinal mass was found at transthoracic echocardiogram. Further investigation (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography, CT scan and cardiac MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of a large oesophageal submucosal mass compressing the supradiaphragmatic inferior vena cava. The mass was resected through a minimally invasive right thoracoscopic approach with complete relief of symptoms and compression on the vena cava.
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