THORACOSCOPIC EXCISION OF AN UNCLEAR INTRAMURAL ESOPHAGEAL TUMOR (GRANULAR-CELL TUMOR ABRIKOSSOFF TUMOR)/

A granular cell tumor is one of the rare tumors of the esophagus. We p resent the case of a 65-year-old male patient, who was admitted to our hospital for an elective cholecystectomy. In the routine diagnostic g astroscopy an intramural tumor in the distal esophagus was incidentall y found. Repeated endoscopic biopsies did not reveal the histologic di agnosis, although endoscopic ultrasound invasion to the tunica muscula ris could not be excluded. After indicating the operative therapy, the tumor was removed through a thoracoscopic approach. The histologic sp ecimen showed a granular cell tumor of the esophagus (tumor of Abrikos soff). Since the tumor grade was unknown, our therapy seemed to be jus tified because of the low risk involved in minimally invasive operativ e procedures. There has been much discussion and controversy in the li terature on this subject, including the potential for malignancy and t he correct therapy regime, with a general shift to conservative or min imally invasive treatment. The case is discussed with a review of the literature.