4.1 Major findings
This present study has relevant clinical implications, summarized as the main findings, as follows: 1) There was a long distance from the MPL to the esophagus, compared with the distance from the CPL to the esophagus. 2) The myocardium and fat pad in the course of MPL was thicker than in the course of CPL; 3) A higher presence of fat pad was noted between the MPL and the esophagus than between CPL and esophagus 4) The MPL was observed to have a longer distance to the esophagus, thicker myocardium, and higher presence of fat pad in each type of esophageal route below the CPL than the CPL. 5) The average distance from MPL to the esophagus in patients with unconfined esophagus in the triangular space at the left inferior PV level was longer than those with confined esophagus in the triangular space at left inferior PV level. Nonetheless, the average distance from the MPL to the esophagus, compared with the CPL was still longer to the esophagus in the confined group.