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Pseudoachalasia due to pleural mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. A 70-year-old woman presented with progressive dysphagia for solid and liquids and a mild weight loss. A barium swallow study revealed an esophageal dilatation and a smoothly narrowed esophagogastric junction. An esophageal manometry showed absence of peristalsis. Endoscopy demonstrated an extrinsic stenosis of the distal esophagus with negative biopsies. A marked thickening of the distal esophagus and a right-sided pleural effusion were evident at computed tomography (CT) scan, but cytological examination of the thoracic fluid was negative. Endoscopic ultrasound showed the disappearance of the distal esophageal wall stratification and thickening of the esophageal wall. The patient underwent an explorative laparoscopy. Biopsies of the esophageal muscle were consistent with the diagnosis of epithelioid type pleural mesothelioma. An esophageal stent was placed for palliation of dysphagia. The patient died four months after the diagnosis. This is the first reported case of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed through laparoscopy.

The management of Meckel diverticulum found unexpectedly during an abdominal operation remains controversial. Most published reports have included only patients undergoing diverticulectomy or bowel resection through laparotomy. We report a case of a carcinoid tumor in a Meckel's diverticulum which was incidentally detected and removed during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Although there is no compelling evidence in the literature to recommend prophylactic diverticulectomy, laparoscopic stapled resection represents a viable and safe approach in healthy individuals undergoing elective surgery for other purposes.