Esophageal tuberculosis mimicking submucosal tumor: A rare case

Esophageal tuberculosis (ET) is a rare form of infectious esophagitis. Here, we present a case of primary ET in an immunocompetent patient with dysphagia.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed a submucosal tumor (SMT)-like lesion in the distal esophagus. Subsequent endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed ulceration, esophageal wall discontinuities, thickening, and hypoechoic masses. Histopathological analysis confirmed a tuberculoid granuloma within the lesion. Imaging studies ruled out pulmonary tuberculosis and lymph node involvement. The patient received six months of antituberculosis treatment, resulting in significant improvement on follow-up EGD.

ET is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms. In this case, the clinical presentation of dysphagia, combined with the characteristic findings on EGD and EUS, led to the diagnosis of primary esophageal tuberculosis.

Prompt consideration of ET in dysphagia patients with SMT-like lesions and timely initiation of appropriate antituberculosis treatment can improve clinical outcomes and help avoid unnecessary surgeries.