Successful en bloc endoscopic full-thickness resection of a giant cervical esophageal leiomyoma originating from muscularis propria

BACKGROUND: Esophageal leiomyomas, the most common benign primary tumors of the esophagus, are esophageal subepithelial lesions treated by surgery traditionally. In recent years, endoscopic submucosal dissection and related endoscopic treatment techniques are adopted by endoscopists to resect gastrointestinal submucosal tumors. But if a giant esophageal leiomyoma approaches the esophagus entrance and originates from the deep layer of muscularis propria, it will be difficult for both endoscopic resection and surgical treatment. Especially, endoscopic resection has a high risk of huge perforation difficult to be sutured. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man with dysphagia underwent gastroscopy examination which indicated a large submucous eminence lesion, about 18–24 cm from the incisors. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed the lesion was hypoechoic and originated from the muscularis propria with a clear boundary. The patient refused invasive surgical resection. Then, an en bloc endoscopic full-thickness resection was performed, which perforation was successfully closed with purse-string sutures using a novel endoloop device through standard single-channel endoscopy. Histopathologic examination showed an esophageal leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: This endoscopic procedure may be an alternative to avoid surgery for the removal of a giant upper esophagus tumor from muscularis propria layer.