Diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma because of findings on transesophageal echocardiography

A patient in whom transesophageal echocardiography was performed to evaluate a possible source of cerebral embolization. The fact that the probe could not be passed easily beyond 35 cm from the incisors suggested esophageal obstruction or compression. A mass was seen posterior to the left atrium that was heterogenous and contained blood vessels, suggesting a malignancy. There were no complications of the procedure. Esophageal adenocarcinoma was...