A modified endoscopic submucosal dissection for a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer: a case report and technical discussion

Background: Adequate working space and a clear view for the dissected lesion are crucial for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Pharyngeal ESD requires that an otorhinolaryngologist creates working space by lifting the larynx with a curved laryngoscope. However, many countries do not have this kind of curved laryngoscope, and the devices could interfere with endoscope because of the narrow space of the pharynx. To overcome these issues, we used a transparent hood (Elastic Touch, slit and hole type, M (long), Top company, Tokyo Japan) instead of the curved laryngoscope to create adequate working space by pushing the larynx, and pharyngeal ESD could be done by gastroenterologists. Case presentation: A 64-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of chronic persistent swallowing dysfunction for 2 years. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer in the right pyriform sinus. We used a transparent hood (Elastic Touch, slit and hole type, M (long), Top company, Tokyo Japan) instead of the curved laryngoscope to create adequate working space by pushing the larynx, and dental floss tied to a haemoclip was applied to create counter traction during ESD. The lesion was pathologically confirmed as superficial squamous cell carcinoma and resected completely. Conclusions: This is the first report of modified ESD for a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer. The modified ESD enables early pharyngeal superficial cancer to be removed completely under endoscope by gastroenterologist.