Glycogenic acanthosis of the esophagus.

A nodular appearance of the esophageal mucosa was observed in 28.3% of 300 consecutive double-contrast esophagrams. This most commonly appeared as numerous uniformly sized, usually less than 3 mm, subtle, round elevations involving the entire esophageal surface. When carefully performed, endoscopy will almost always confirm these findings. Endoscopic biopsies performed in 10 patients demonstrated the nodules to represent glycogenic acanthosis--a combination of cellular hyperplasia and increased cellular glycogen. The radiographic appearance of these nodules, while usually characteristic, may vary and they may simulate pathologic processes, particularly moniliasis. Distinction can usually be made by clinical and radiologic criteria. Although the etiology is unknown, this seems to be of no clinical significance.