A CASE OF ESOPHAGEAL SUBMUCOSAL TUMORS (SMTS) DIAGNOSED FROM A DIRECT-OBSERVATION BIOPSY BY MUCOSAL CUTTING

Abstract

Esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) are almost all benign in nature, and a malignant SMT is rare. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can give useful information about the differentiation between benign and malignant SMTs, but it is sometimes difficult and occasionally impossible. Treatment policies for SMTs differ depending on the histological type, therefore diagnosis of an SMT requires histological and immunohistochemical confirmation. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) is an effective technique to obtain tissue samples of an SMT with minimal risk. We report on a case of an esophageal SMT diagnosed from a direct-observation biopsy by mucosal cutting. We think this method may be tried in convex type EUS-free facilities and, if not enough tissue could be collected with EUS-FNAB.