Endoscopic ultrasonography in esophageal tuberculosis

Esophageal tuberculosis is so rarely seen that it is difficult to identify by conventional endoscopy and computed tomography (CT), and is frequently misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. To date, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the context of esophageal tuberculosis has only been sketchily described in a few case reports. In the present report we summarize and analyze four cases with regard to the EUS features of the lesions of esophageal tuberculosis. These features included heterogeneous or homogeneous hypoechoic masses in the esophageal wall, incrassation, interruption of esophageal adventitia, and mediastinal lymphadenitis. Most of the masses in the esophageal wall had hyperechoic spots and strips in the parenchyma. The esophageal lesions usually involved or had conglutinated with the enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.