Published online Mar 6, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i5.668
Peer-review started: November 12, 2018
First decision: December 20, 2018
Revised: January 13, 2019
Accepted: January 30, 2019
Article in press: January 29, 2019
Published online: March 6, 2019
The tunnel endoscopic technique is the treatment of choice for submucosal tumors. However, the use of tunnel endoscopy to diagnose adenocarcinoma of the esophagus originating from the submucosa has not been well studied.
A 74-year-old man who presented with dysphagia for half a year underwent a series of checks, such as gastroendoscopy, X-ray contrast examination of the upper digestive tract, endoscopic ultrasonography, high-resolution esophageal manometry, and positron emission computed tomography. It should be noted that the stenosis of the esophagus was too narrow for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. The cause remained undiagnosed. Eventually, the tunnel endoscopic technique was perform for the pathological examination in the submucosa and the final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. The patient and family members chose expectant treatment due to the patient’s age and the high costs of surgical treatment.
Tunnel endoscopy could be used to diagnose tumors. Moreover, we review the literature to provide guidance regarding the causes of esophagostenosis.
Core tip: Tunnel endoscopy is not only effective as a treatment for submucosal tumors, but also as a means of performing pathological examination for diagnosing tumors. Moreover, we review the literature to provide guidance regarding the causes of esophageal stenosis.