Intramural hematoma of the esophagus in a woman with chronic renal failure and prophylactic heparin therapy

CASE REPORT An 86 year-old woman experienced chest pain, dyspnea, and dysphagia two days following orthopaedic surgery for a bimalleolus fracture of the right ankle. The patient was on prophylactic low weight molecular heparin and was affected by chronic renal failure. The chest computed tomography (CT) ruled out a pulmonary embolism but showed an intramural esophageal mass involving the entire esophagus. The lesion exhibited a blood like CT attenuation content that did not enhance after contrast administration. The esophagogram with gastrografin did not reveal filling defects nor communications between lumen and mucosa. Magnetic resonance confirmed CT results and excluded an aortic dissection. All radiological findings were suggestive of intramural hematoma of the esophagus.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Intramural hematoma of the esophagus (IHE) is part of the spectrum of esophageal injuries that includes Mallory-Weiss tear and Boerhaave's syndrome. IHE is the result of a hemorrhage within the submucosal layer. Predisposing conditions are abnormal hemostasis, traumatic events, aortic diseases. It can also occur spontaneously (idiopathic). Treatment should be conservative and includes risk factors withdrawal. The hematoma usually resolves in 1 to 3 weeks.