Esophageal Involvement of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is characterized by the typical histopathological features of a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells, a high ratio of IgG4- to IgG-positive cells, storiform fibrosis (cellular fibrosis organized in an irregular whorled pattern), obliterative phlebitis, and variable presence of eosinophils. The disease exhibits systemic involvement but very rarely involves the esophagus. A 33-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of a 1-year history of progressive dysphagia. Neck imaging revealed a 3.9-cm mass in the cervical esophagus and multifocal calcified lymph nodes in the lower neck and mediastinum. Two previous tertiary hospitals failed to diagnose the patient's condition despite the use of ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the neck tumor. We performed neck imaging studies, a flexible endoscopic swallowing study, high-resolution manometry, upper endoscopy, and a review of the previous pathologic slides. The patient was finally diagnosed with IgG4-related esophagitis and showed a good response to corticosteroid therapy. We herein report a rare case of dysphagia associated with IgG4-related disease and present a review of the literature.