Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Mass next to esophagus
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Mass next to esophagus
by Barbara__0__0, Aug 07, 1998 12:00AM
I'm not sure I'm posting in the right area, nor do I want to be here,
so please move my question to a more appropriate folder if necessary.
I am 38 and had an MRI of the cervical spine a few weeks ago after
having symptoms common to MS. Although the MRI did not find any lesions,
it did pick up a mass in the T-4 area next to the esophagus,
totally unrealated to my
neurological symptoms. On the radiologist's advice,
I had a CT scan (with contrast and with barium swallow)
to further study it. His conclusion is that he's 95% sure it's been
there since birth. It's about 3/4 inch long up against the right
side of the esophagus. He called said it may be the beginnings of
a second esophagus. If so, what is this condition called? I've
never noticed any symptoms from it. Could it produce any in the
future?
If it's a tumor, what are the chances it would be malignant? Would
this mean esophogeal cancer? I have never smoked and am relatively
young. The radiologist said it would be very major surgery to
remove it since they'd have to crack open my ribs. Isn't there
something less invasive, even to biopsy it?
The radiologist's advice is to wait for 6-12 months and get another
CT scan to see if it has changed. Is that what you would prescribe?
How worried should I be? I was worried enough about possible MS before,
and I certainly don't want a cancer scare on top of that.
Thank you for your help.
Dear Barbara,
Your description is consistent with a condition referred to as esophageal duplication. It is an abnormality which occurs during early embryonic development. Typically the duplication manifests itself as a cyst (fluid filled sac lined by different types of epithelium) which does not connect directly to the esophagus proper. It is usually located on the right side next to the lower esophagus. In 20 percent of cases, there are longer tubular structures with direct connections to the lumen of the esophagus. They can be multiple.
Clinical manifestations of esophageal duplication include: dyspnea (shortness of breath), dysphagia (difficult swallowing), stridor (high pitched upper airway noises) or persistent cough. Many duplications are spotted on routine chest x-rays and barium esophagram but more precise diagnosis is possible with CT, MRI or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
If symptoms are present treatment usually involves transesophageal needling or surgery. If no symptoms are present repeat scanning in 6-12 months is reasonable. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians’ Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: esophageal duplication, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment
so please move my question to a more appropriate folder if necessary.
I am 38 and had an MRI of the cervical spine a few weeks ago after
having symptoms common to MS. Although the MRI did not find any lesions,
it did pick up a mass in the T-4 area next to the esophagus,
totally unrealated to my
neurological symptoms. On the radiologist's advice,
I had a CT scan (with contrast and with barium swallow)
to further study it. His conclusion is that he's 95% sure it's been
there since birth. It's about 3/4 inch long up against the right
side of the esophagus. He called said it may be the beginnings of
a second esophagus. If so, what is this condition called? I've
never noticed any symptoms from it. Could it produce any in the
future?
If it's a tumor, what are the chances it would be malignant? Would
this mean esophogeal cancer? I have never smoked and am relatively
young. The radiologist said it would be very major surgery to
remove it since they'd have to crack open my ribs. Isn't there
something less invasive, even to biopsy it?
The radiologist's advice is to wait for 6-12 months and get another
CT scan to see if it has changed. Is that what you would prescribe?
How worried should I be? I was worried enough about possible MS before,
and I certainly don't want a cancer scare on top of that.
Thank you for your help.
Dear Barbara,
Your description is consistent with a condition referred to as esophageal duplication. It is an abnormality which occurs during early embryonic development. Typically the duplication manifests itself as a cyst (fluid filled sac lined by different types of epithelium) which does not connect directly to the esophagus proper. It is usually located on the right side next to the lower esophagus. In 20 percent of cases, there are longer tubular structures with direct connections to the lumen of the esophagus. They can be multiple.
Clinical manifestations of esophageal duplication include: dyspnea (shortness of breath), dysphagia (difficult swallowing), stridor (high pitched upper airway noises) or persistent cough. Many duplications are spotted on routine chest x-rays and barium esophagram but more precise diagnosis is possible with CT, MRI or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
If symptoms are present treatment usually involves transesophageal needling or surgery. If no symptoms are present repeat scanning in 6-12 months is reasonable. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians’ Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: esophageal duplication, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment
