Intramural Leiomyomata of the Esophagus: A Study of Six Operative Cases

(1) In the case of leiomyomas of the esophagus having a prevalent inward development correct diagnosis is generally feasible on the basis of clinical, endoscopic and radiological datas. (2) Great difficulty may arise in the diagnostic evaluation of leiomyomas of the esophagus having a prevalent mediastinal growth: it follows that in these cases preoperative diagnosis is often incorrect. (3) In the cases in which probative diagnostic elements should be missing, the clinical appraisal of such eventuality will be of the greatest importance in the surgical management of this disease, for the surgeon will be induced to search for them at the operating table and will be prepared to perform the more conservative procedure.