A Rare Case of Polypus Oesophagi Permagnus

Abstract

A case is described of a 60-year-old patient admitted to the clinic because he had a long tumour which was hanging out of the mouth and which had been pushed out during a vomit. Among the data given by the patient on admission there was no indication of a previous or recidivous inflammation, i.e. irritation of the oesophageal mucosa, which is regularly mentioned in the literature as being a most important etiological factor.

The results obtained and the checks made confirmed that the mass was an enormous oesophageal polyp (lipoma), 26 cm long, filling the entire oesophagus up to the cardia, while the existence of a knotted tumefaction, on the distal part, separated from the rest of the tumorous mass by a deep furrow, indicated the possibility of an oesophageal polyp with its distal part hanging into the lumen of the stomach, which by constant pressure of the cardia, a deep sulcus had been formed, keeping the knotted part apart from the rest of the tumour.

The enormous oesophageal polyp caused great dilatation of the oesophagus, with evidence of a secondary megaoesophagus.

The oesophageal polyp was removed by cervical oesophagotomy, which was followed by a regular postoperative course.

The patient was discharged on the 15th day after the operation. Postoperative examinations, made several months later, showed a fully normal local finding and excellent general condition.