A Case of Esophageal Submucosal Dissection that Developed after Endoscopic Biopsy

Kim, Dong Hyun; Yoon, Jeong Bin; Kim, Dong Wan; Jang, Se Won; Yoon, Jong Min; Kim, Min Jung; Kim, Sang Hyun

Abstract

The incidence of gastrointestinal complications has increased as endoscopic biopsy has become a standard diagnostic technique. However, esophageal dissection is a rare complication. A 71-year-old man suffered retrosternal pain for 15 days. Fifteen days previously, he had undergone an endoscopic gastrointestinal examination at a local clinic and an esophageal biopsy to obtain microscopic confirmation of esophageal candidiasis. The patient then underwent a subsequent endoscopic examination, which showed features specific to esophageal submucosal dissection. The predisposing conditions for esophageal dissection are coagulopathy, iatrogenic trauma (variceal sclerotherapy), drugs (thrombolytic agents, aspirin), foreign bodies/certain foods (fish, chicken bones), and emesis. However, endoscopic biopsy is a rare predisposing condition. Here, we report a case of esophageal submucosal dissection that developed after esophageal biopsy. We observed the healing process of this lesion with a series of endoscopies as part of a conservative treatment plan.