"Giant" fibrovascular esophageal polyp]

Fibrovascular polyps are rare mesenchymal tumors that arise mainly in the cricopharyngeal portion of the esophagus. They may protrude distally to become "giant" pedunculated lesions filling almost the entire esophageal lumen. Histologically they contain varying amounts of adipose, fibrous and vascular tissues and belong to spindle cell lipomas according to the classification of soft tissue tumors. Immediate resection of these benign lesions is warranted as they may be regurgitated and cause asphyxia. These lesions are usually treated by open surgery (left cervicotomy) or, less invasively, by peroral endoscopic surgery. Polyp removal by flexible endoscopy has been described but may be hazardous if its stalk is broadbased. In this report the case of a 73-year-old male with dysphagia is described in whom a "giant" fibrovascular polyp was diagnosed endoscopically and promptly removed surgically by the peroral route. At control endoscopy 14 months later, the asymptomatic patient was free of polyp recurrence.