Inflammatory pseudotumors (inflammatory fibrous polyps) of the esophagus. A clinicopathologic study.

When they involve the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory pseudotumors, composed of inflamed fibrous and granulation tissue, produce localized, frequently polypoid, masses. These rare lesions have been described in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. Only two have been previously reported in the esophagus. In this paper, 4 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor involving the esophagus are presented. These lesions usually occur in the esophagus as raised, occasionally pedunculated, masses and may be mistaken on radiologic examination and in the operating room for a neoplasm, usually a leiomyoma. Theories concerning pathogenesis of these lesions are considered and the differential diagnostic criteria are discussed.