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Case Reports
. 2022 Nov-Dec;36(6):2923-2926.
doi: 10.21873/invivo.13034.

Sebaceous Gland Ectopia of the Esophagus: A Challenging Clinical Diagnosis

Caterina Baffa  1 , Amanda Naaman  1 , Domenico Coppola  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Sebaceous Gland Ectopia of the Esophagus: A Challenging Clinical Diagnosis

Caterina Baffa et al. In Vivo. 2022 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background/aim: Sebaceous gland ectopia (SGE) defines the presence of normal sebaceous tissue in an unusual location. This condition is rare and was first described in ectodermal-derived organs, such as the oral cavities and palms, and later in endodermal-derived tissues including the esophagus. SGE of the esophagus is believed to represent a form of acquired metaplasia. SGE is asymptomatic and usually discovered during routine endoscopic examinations for other gastrointestinal complaints and symptoms. It is a benign entity and to date no cases of malignant transformation have been reported. Once diagnosed, SGE requires no further work up or follow up, and does not require treatment.

Case report: We present two cases of SGE arising in the esophagi of two female patients who presented with complaints of gastro-esophageal reflux and underwent endoscopy. These lesions presented as patchy yellow-white nodules in the mid and upper esophagus and were endoscopically interpreted as suggestive of candidiasis or glycogen acanthosis. Biopsies showed foci of non-keratinizing squamous mucosa overlying the sebaceous glands. These glands exhibited a characteristic lobulated structure with germinative cells at the periphery and vacuolated, well-differentiated cells in the center of the lobules. After histologic examination, the endoscopic impressions of candidiasis and acanthosis were ruled out and the final diagnosis of SGE was made. There was no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy in our cases.

Conclusion: Histopathology examination is important to differentiate SGE from malignant and infectious conditions that are more common, and which can be clinically and endoscopically similar to SGE.

Keywords: Sebaceous gland ectopia; esophageal sebaceous ectopia; sebaceous ectopia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare in relation to this study.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Esophageal squamous epithelium with underlying glands showing sebaceous differentiation. No hair follicles are identified (H&E, ×100).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Sebaceous glands exhibiting the germinative cells at the periphery and multivacuolated sebaceous cells in the center (H&E, ×400).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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