1.What does “esophageal glycogen echinodermia” mean? What is the cause? It is also called “esophageal leukoplakia” and “esophageal mucosal leukoplakia”, which is caused by hyperkeratosis of the esophageal mucosa and the appearance of white patches on the esophageal mucosa. The “keratinization” is similar to the thick calluses that appear on the skin of the palm of the hand after a long period of exertion. Long-term persistent irritants, such as strong alcohol and tobacco, spicy food and overheated diet, as well as poor oral hygiene, may cause hyperkeratosis of the mucosa. In addition, factors such as anemia, endocrine disorders, liver cirrhosis, systemic progressive sclerosis, fungal infections, etc. may also affect the normal keratinization process of the mucosal epithelium. 2.What are the symptoms of “esophageal glycogenic echinoderma”? The white spots are mostly seen in male patients over 40 years old, and generally have no obvious conscious symptoms. 3.How is “esophageal glycogen echinodermia” diagnosed? The diagnosis is mainly made by esophagoscopy or gastroscopy, where white patches can be seen with the naked eye; it can also be combined with pathological examination after endoscopic mucosal tissue biopsy, which can reveal white patches showing thickened echinocytes and containing a large amount of glycogen. Other examinations are meaningless. If the white spots are large, with hard basal nodules and warty protrusions, tissue biopsy should be taken from multiple locations to understand whether there is cancer. 4.How to treat “esophageal glycogenic echinoderma”? Esophageal white spots generally do not require special treatment, but the cause should be removed, including the cessation of tobacco, alcohol, acid and spicy hobbies. For those who do not heal for a long time or even have enlarged lesions, local excision or electrocautery treatment can be performed under endoscopy. 5.What is the danger of “esophageal glycogen echinodermia”? How to prevent it? Esophageal leukoplakia can exist alone or be a local manifestation of mucosal leukoplakia. It is mostly benign and has a good prognosis. The prevention of the disease should pay attention to the removal of various factors leading to the occurrence of white spots, quit smoking and alcohol, do not eat too hot and cold and spicy stimulating food.