Diagnosis and management of diffuse leiomyomatosis of the oesophagus.

Diffuse leiomyomatosis of the oesophagus is a rare entity among oesophageal diseases. Histopathologically it is characterized by diffuse hypertrophy of the muscular layer extending to the whole oesophagus predominantly in the lower third, where it can result in tumour formation. Leiomyomatosis can involve the upper part of the stomach and is frequently associated with genital or tracheobronchial (bronchitracheal) muscular localizations. Also, it can be associated with Alport's syndrome in familial cases. For diagnosis, barium swallow, computerized tomography (CT) scan and, in recent years, endoscopic ultrasonography are used. Oesophageal resection is the only suitable treatment in symptomatic cases. We report three observations during 1979-95.