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CC BY 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27815586
DOI: 10.1055/a-2781-5586
Original article

Endoscopic resection in treatment of intramural esophageal cysts: Retrospective analysis of 67 cases

Authors

  • Shaobin Luo

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Zu-Qiang Liu

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Li Wang

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Yi-Qun Zhang

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Wei-Feng Chen

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Lili Ma

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Jian-Wei Hu

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Ming-Yan Cai

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Quan-Lin Li

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

  • Ping-Hong Zhou

    1   Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Ringgold ID: RIN92323)

Supported by: Shuguang Program of Shanghai Education Development Foundation and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission 22SG06
Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China - State Grid Corporation Joint Fund for Smart Grid 82170555, 82270569, 82000507
Supported by: Shanghai "Rising Stars of Medical Talent" Youth Development Program 20224Z0005
Supported by: Shanghai Academic/Technology Research Leader 22XD1422400
Supported by: Youth Foundation of Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center YQ2024-010
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Abstract

Background and study aims

Intramural esophageal cysts (ECs) are rare congenital malformations. This study aimed to investigate clinical characteristics of intramural ECs and evaluated safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection.

Patients and methods

From August 2012 to June 2024, 67 patients with intramural ECs treated at the Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Data on baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and follow-up were collected.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (17 males, mean age 49.8 years) underwent submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) and 38 patients (26 males, mean age 53.0 years) underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for intramural ECs. Mean specimen sizes were 2.8 ± 0.9 cm and 1.1 ± 0.6 cm, respectively (P < 0.001). The STER group showed longer operative times (51.2 ± 20.6 vs. 32.6 ± 17.5 minutes, P < 0.001) and slower operation speed (0.13 ± 0.09 cm2/min vs. 0.21 ± 0.14 cm2/min, P = 0.032) compared with the ESD group. Complete resection rates for the STER and ESD groups were 82.8% and 94.7%, respectively (P = 0.127). No major adverse events occurred in the groups. Complete resection was achieved in seven cases with extraluminal growth in the STER group without serious complications. During follow-up (median 37 months and 46 months, respectively), no local recurrence or strictures were observed in either group.

Conclusions

Endoscopic resection of intramural ECs is safe and effective with fairly good long-term follow-up outcomes. The STER technique has advantages of completely resecting intramural esophageal cysts originating from the deep muscularis propria layer, particularly lesions with extraluminal growth.

Keywords

Endoscopy Upper GI Tract - Endoscopic resection (ESD, EMRc, ...) - POEM - Barrett's and adenocarcinoma


Publication History

Received: 14 March 2025

Accepted after revision: 05 January 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
07 January 2026

Article published online:
12 February 2026

© 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Bibliographical Record
Shaobin Luo, Zu-Qiang Liu, Li Wang, Yi-Qun Zhang, Wei-Feng Chen, Lili Ma, Jian-Wei Hu, Ming-Yan Cai, Quan-Lin Li, Ping-Hong Zhou. Endoscopic resection in treatment of intramural esophageal cysts: Retrospective analysis of 67 cases. Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27815586.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2781-5586
 

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