Submucosal Esophageal Hematoma: A Rare Hemorrhagic Complication Following Neuroendovascular Therapy.

Abstract

Objective: Submucosal esophageal hematoma (SEH) is a rare complication of neuroendovascular therapy, and there are insufficient data on the management of antithrombotic therapy in cases of SEH. We report a case of SEH following flow diverter stenting for an unruptured cerebral aneurysm, successfully managed with conservative treatment, including short-term interruption of antiplatelet therapy.

Case presentation: An 80-year-old woman on clopidogrel and aspirin underwent Pipeline flow diversion with adjunctive coil embolization for an unruptured right internal carotid-posterior communicating artery aneurysm under general anesthesia without complications. Postoperatively, the patient developed chest pain, and CT revealed wall thickening from the middle to lower esophagus, leading to a diagnosis of SEH. SEH in this case was likely caused by a combination of antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulants, nasogastric tube insertion, and mechanical stimulation from intubation and extubation during the operation. The patient was managed conservatively with fasting and discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy. After CT confirmed hemostasis, antiplatelet therapy was resumed with intravenous ozagrel sodium on postoperative day 3, switching to oral prasugrel on day 7. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) on day 8 showed the submucosal hematoma replaced by ulcers and fistula formation. UGE on day 15 showed improvement, and CT on day 23 confirmed hematoma resolution. The patient was discharged on day 24 without symptoms or complications.

Conclusion: In addition to previously reported cases, the presented case suggests that conservative management with temporary antiplatelet interruption and early resumption after hemostasis can lead to favorable outcomes in SEH cases associated with neuroendovascular therapy requiring antiplatelet therapy.