Curative endoscopic ultrasound-assisted submucosal resection of a gastric stromal tumor

Rom J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jun;14(2):177-82.

Abstract

Endoscopic submucosal resection has been proposed as a feasible alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of small submucosal tumors (< 3 cm), as compared to classic interventions (surgical intervention or frequent follow-up). Therapeutic options should be established after precise endoscopic ultrasound assessment of the tumor characteristics. We present the case of a 60 year-old patient, admitted to the Emergency Department for upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Upper GI endoscopy showed a submucosal tumor on the posterior gastric wall, with hyperemic covering mucosa, without central ulceration. Endoscopic ultrasound identified a 10-mm well-delimited hypoechoic lesion, with the origin in the third hyperechoic layer (submucosa). After injection of 1:10000 epinephrine in the submucosa, with subsequent elevation of the protrusive formation, we performed an endoscopic submucosal resection without any complications. Pathology exam showed a gastric stromal tumor with low mitotic activity, the endoscopic resection being considered curative. The absence of independent risk factors determined by ultrasound endoscopy (size > 3 cm, irregular margins, hyperechoic foci > 3 mm, cystic spaces > 4 mm, presence of intratumoral Doppler signal), as well as the low mitotic activity, permitted the subsequent follow-up of the patient. A control endoscopic examination performed after 4 weeks showed the healing of the post-resection ulceration. In conclusion, ultrasound endoscopy allowed the establishment of a correct presumptive diagnosis and the subsequent assistance of endoscopic submucosal resection, used for pathological confirmation and for curative endoscopic treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / methods*
  • Endosonography*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastric Mucosa / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / diagnostic imaging
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Stomach Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler