Esophageal Submucosal Giant Hematoma Detected After Mitral Repair Using Transesophageal Echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a necessary diagnostic tool for cardiac surgery, including for intraoperative evaluation of the morphology and function of each structure. On the other hand, many complications caused by insertion and manipulation of the TEE probe have been reported, such as gastrointestinal injuries and hematoma, as well as esophageal perforation. Here, we report a case in which a large submucosal esophageal hematoma was found on the fourth postoperative day after surgery using TEE for mitral regurgitation. The patient was an 81-year-old man who underwent mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. On the fourth postoperative day, anorexia and blood-tinged sputum were observed. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest displayed a giant esophageal submucosal hematoma. When performing TEE, to avoid complications, it is important to handle the TEE probe with care and to avoid leaving the device at the same site for long periods of time.