# Esophageal Melanocytosis

## TL;DR

This paper reports a case of esophageal melanocytosis, a rare condition involving melanin deposits in the esophagus, in a 67-year-old man.

## Contribution

The paper presents a new clinical case of esophageal melanocytosis and highlights its diagnostic challenges.

## Key findings

- Esophageal melanocytosis was diagnosed via histological analysis in a patient with dyspepsia.
- Differential diagnoses included melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma, which must be ruled out.
- The patient had a history of diabetes and hypertension with symptoms of dizziness and syncope.

## Abstract

Esophageal melanocytosis is a rare entity defined by the proliferation of a melanocytic basal layer of the esophageal squamous lining and deposition of melanin in the esophageal mucosa. Esophageal melanocytosis is considered a benign entity of unknown etiology; however, it has been reported as a melanoma precursor. We report a case of esophageal melanocytosis in a diabetic and hypertensive 67-year-old male with recurrent dizziness and syncope for the past 6 months. Given his complaint of dyspepsia, he underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in which an esophageal biopsy revealed the diagnosis of esophageal melanocytosis. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal melanocytosis can only be made by histological analysis. The histologic differential diagnoses include melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. Therefore, they need to be ruled out.