DIAGNOSIS OF SUBMUCOSAL TUMOR OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT BY ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASONOGRAPY (EUS). (THE 1ST. REPORT)

Abstract

We performed endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in 9 cases suspected gastric or esophageal submucosal tumor by X-ray and endoscopic examination. EUS demonstrated gastric submucosal tumor in 6 cases and esophageal submucosal tumor in 3 cases. In 8 of 9 cases, the tumor was visualized as a low echoic tumor which grew from the proper muscle, and in 1 case, tumor as cystic echo in the submucosal layer. Therefore, the definite diagnosis of the submucosal tumor in all cases was able to be obtained by EUS. We also investigated on the development of the submucosal tumor by EUS. As the results, intra-esophageal or intra-gastric development was recognized in 3 cases and extra-esophageal or extra-gastric development was done in 4 cases. In other 2 cases, one showed intramural, and another one was intra- and extra-gastric development. Surgical operation were performed in only two cases which were diagnosed as leiomyoma histologically. However, the internal echo of the tumor was even in one case, and uneven in another case. It is concluded that endoscopic ultrasonography is the most useful procedure which gives a definite diagnosis, the development of tumor and the determination of histological origin of the submucosal tumor before operation. However, further investigation is needed for the differential diagnosis of benign or malignant tumor in the future.