[Leiomyoma of the esophagus (author's transl)].

Benign neoplasms of the esophagus are rare. According to Linder and Grözinger (1968) they come up to about 0,5-2% of all esophageal tumors. Among new growths of mesenchymal origin leiomyomas are dominant in 75-85%. In nearly the half of the concerned patients symptoms occur, indicating operative intervention. At the Surgical Department of the RWTH Aachen besides 58 patients with esophageal cancer only 4 patients suffering from benign tumors have been operated on between 1967 and 1975. Histologically three times the diagnosis of a leiomyoma could be established. In one female, a preoperatively simulated leiomyoma was verified as an intramural cyst of bronchogenic origin. Thoracotomy and enucleation or extirpation are the preferable methods of treatment. Postoperatively no essential complications were seen. A clinically silent fistula healed up spontaneously.