Esophageal ganglioneuromatosis; a rare cause of intractable esophageal stenosis: a case report

TL;DR

A rare benign tumor caused esophageal blockage in a child, highlighting the need to consider this condition in unexplained cases.

Contribution

Reports the first known pediatric case of esophageal ganglioneuromatosis causing severe stenosis.

Findings

Esophageal ganglioneuromatosis is exceptionally rare and previously unreported in children.

The tumor caused severe esophageal stenosis and dysphagia in an 11-year-old boy.

This case suggests the condition should be considered in children with unexplained esophageal narrowing.

Abstract

Ganglioneuromatosis is a rare type of benign neurogenic tumor that usually affects the sites of the major sympathetic ganglia in the retroperitoneum and the posterior mediastinum. Affection of the gastrointestinal tract is rare, and involvement of the esophagus is exceptional. To the best of our knowledge, only 4 cases of esophageal ganglioneuromatosis in adults were reported in the literature. No cases have been reported in the pediatric age group.

An 11-year-old boy presented with dysphagia due to severe esophageal stenosis caused by esophageal ganglioneuromatosis.

Despite its rarity, the present case implies that ganglioneuromatosis should be considered in children with idiopathic esophageal stenosis.

Figures