[Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal leiomyoma].

Objective: To summarize the experience of diagnosis and treatment of esophageal leiomyoma.

Methods: Clinical data of 52 patients with esophageal leiomyoma were analyzed from 1993 to 2002.

Results: About 54% patients in this group had difficulty of food intake. The diagnostic accuracy of gastrointestinal barium meal series, computed tomography, gastric endoscope and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for esophageal leiomyoma was 64% 44% 27% and 90% respectively. All patients received operation, resection of esophageal leiomyoma by videothoracoscopy (VAS) and endoscope were performed in 6, 9 patients respectively. The remaining 37 patients received regular open operation,in whom 32 cases received enucleation of esophageal leiomyoma, 5 cases received partial esophageal resection and esophageal-gastric anastomosis. No serious complications occurred except only one case needed operation again because of bleeding.

Conclusion: EUS is an effective method for diagnosing esophageal leiomyoma. VAS and endoscopic treatment should be considered for suitable cases in order to reduce the trauma.