Abstract
Sixty-two patients with gastric cancer were examined preoperatively, using a miniature ultrasonic probe (MUP) to diagnose the depth of cancer invasion. In 62 patients, 16 had stenotic lesion and 46 type 0 cancer. We used the two kinds of new technique, namely jelly and soft balloon method, added to the conventional water-filling method. Jelly method is manipulating MUP in the viscous jelly sprinkled on the tumor and soft balloon method is in the soft balloon filled with deaerated water putting on the tip of the scope. We selected the proper method according to the location of tumor.
The results were as follows : (1)Jelly method was useful for the stenotic lesion and the tumor located on the prepylorus, however, it was difficult to make the differential diagnosis between ss and se cancer. (2)Soft balloon method was available for the tumor located close to the esophagogastric junction. (3)The accuracy rates of type 0 cancer were 76% (23/30) in mucosal cancer, 75% (9/12) in submucosal cancer and 100% (4/4) in mp cancer. Overall accuracy was 78% (36/46) . Of 10 patients misdiagnosed, 9 had the ulcerative changes in the lesion.
In conclusion, a proper selection of method seems to be important in performing MUP examination, however, further studies are required as to the lesion with ulcerative changes and ss cancer.
