Endoscopic Resection of Gastric Plasmacytoma

Gastric plasmacytoma is a rare form of extramedullary plasmacytoma. It is usually diagnosed with a barium meal or endoscopy for various gastrointestinal symptoms. Most gastric plasmacytomas are treated by surgical resection, even when they are confined to gastric mucosal lamina propria or submucosa, that is, in the early stages. We present here a case of gastric plasmacytoma showing an endoscopic feature of submucosal tumor approximately 2.5 cm in diameter, found through an X‐ray study in a mass screening. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic tumor located in the submucosal layer, and the tumor appeared to be safely excised by routineendoscopic resection. In order to obtain histlogical diagnosis, we resected the tumor, which was diagnosed as a plasmacytoma. The patient did not shown any sign of local and/or generalized recurrence during follow up for 2.5 years. We have not found a successful case of endoscopic resection of gastric plasmacytoma reported previously.     

胃肠道神经内分泌肿瘤的内镜下诊断与治疗

目的探讨胃肠道神经内分泌肿瘤(neuroendocrine neoplasms,NENs)的内镜下诊断及治疗方法。方法对50例经内镜及病理学证实的NENs进行回顾性分析,分析其内镜下表现及治疗方法。结果胃肠道NENs的发病部位以直肠(38/50)和胃(8/50)最为常见,直肠NENs在内镜下有一定特征性表现,但胃、食管、十二指肠NENs在内镜下表现形式多样,无特定典型表现。部分患者经内镜下黏膜切除术(endoscopic mucosal resection,EMR)、内镜下黏膜剥离术(endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD)或胃镜与腹腔镜双镜联合治疗,其中1例胃NENs表现为胃体6枚息肉样隆起,活检病理示炎性改变,遂行EMR切除,其病理回报NET 2级(G2),肿瘤紧靠基底及侧切缘,遂行二次ESD分别切除胃内NENs病灶残根。所有患者均完整切除瘤体,无术中及术后迟发性出血发生。随访内镜下治疗的患者目前均无复发及转移。结论胃肠道NENs主要通过内镜及病理学检查确诊,对于部分位于黏膜深层或黏膜下层、直径≤1 cm的瘤体可通过ESD在内镜下切除。     

GASTRIC SUBMUCOSAL HETEROTOPIA OF THE IMMATURE GASTRIC GLANDS WITH ENDOSCOPIC FEATURE MIMICKING CARCINOID TUMOR

We describe a rare case of gastric submucosal heterotopia of the immature gastric glands mimicking carcinoid tumor shown by endoscopic examination, which was successfully treated by endoscopic tumor resection. A 66‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination of the gastric abnormality. Endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed a flat, rounded elevated lesion with a central erosion in the anterior wall of the upper gastric body. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a poorly demarcated, slightly hypoechoic lesion located in the third layer of the gastric wall. Based on these findings, a submucosal tumor, particularly a carcinoid tumor, was suspected. Endoscopic tumor resection, which provides a significant benefit for accurate final diagnosis and eradication of submucosal lesion, was performed. Histological study showed the gastric gland heterotopia of immature type in the submucosa.     

High-frequency probe EUS-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection: a therapeutic strategy for submucosal tumors of the GI tract.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-frequency probe EUS (HFPE)-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection in the management of submucosal tumors of the GI tract. METHODS: HFPE-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection was attempted in 28 patients with submucosal tumors less than 2 cm in diameter. HFPE was performed with a 20-MHz "through-the-scope" probe. Saline solution was injected into the submucosa. After confirming detachment of the lesion from the muscularis propria by repeat HFPE, endoscopic mucosal resection was performed with a lift-and-cut or endoscopic mucosal resection cap technique. Follow-up endoscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Submucosal tumors from the following areas were included: esophagus 3, stomach 4, duodenum 3, and colon 18. The submucosal tumors were located in the upper third (n = 3), middle third (n = 18), and lower third (n = 7) of the submucosa. Twenty-one submucosal tumors were removed by the lift-and-cut technique and 6 by the cap method. One patient required surgical resection after unsuccessful endoscopic mucosal resection. The origin and depth of penetration of all lesions was accurately depicted by HFPE. Median tumor diameter was 9 mm (range 3-20 mm). Resection was successful and complete in 93% of the cases. There were no immediate postprocedure complications (exact 95% CI [0%, 12.3%]). During a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range 2-74 months) no recurrence was found. CONCLUSIONS: HFPE-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection is safe and effective for the management of selected submucosal tumors of the GI tract. A management algorithm based on endoscopic and HFPE findings is proposed.     

EN BLOC REMOVAL OF A GASTRIC CARCINOID TUMOR USING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION TECHNIQUES

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has recently been applied to the resection of gastric submucosal tumors other than carcinoid tumors. We describe a case of gastric carcinoid tumor enucleated with ESD. An 82‐year‐old woman was referred for treatment of a gastric tumor. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a solitary submucosal tumor in the greater curvature of the gastric body. We diagnosed a carcinoid tumor by histological examination of biopsy specimens. Endoscopic ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass in the submucosal layer. Neither lymph node nor liver metastasis was recognized. The serum gastrin level was normal, and this tumor was classified as a type III (sporadic) carcinoid tumor. Endoscopic resection was decided on considering her age, general status, and wishes. We used ESD techniques, because the tumor was too large to be resected by conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. En bloc resection was performed. Histological examination of the 13 × 19 × 11 mm resected specimen showed that the cut end was free of tumor cells. Type III carcinoid tumor is usually treated by surgical resection with lymph node dissection. However, in high‐risk elderly patients we consider ESD to be a therapeutic option for local control of gastric carcinoid tumors.     

Endoscopic Removal of Gastric Lipoma: Diagnostic Value of Endoscopic Ultrasonography

A 47-yr-old male with gastric lipoma is presented. X-ray and endoscopic examinations revealed a submucosal tumor on the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated the hyperechoic mass in the submucosa without continuity to the muscularis propria, by which the lesion was diagnosed as lipoma. The lesion was successfully removed by endoscopic polypectomy without complications. The cross-sections of the removed specimens were quite consistent with the ultrasonographic findings. Endoscopic ultrasonography is valuable in assessing the exact extent of the tumor and in determining whether or not endoscopic polypectomy is called for.     

Diagnosis of submucosal tumor of the upper GI tract by endoscopic resection.

BACKGROUND: Submucosal tumors are frequent findings during endoscopy, although definitive diagnosis based on histologic confirmation presents some difficulties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection based on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) findings to reach a definitive diagnosis of submucosal tumor. METHODS: Fifty-four submucosal tumors of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract were included in this study. EUS was performed to determine the layer of origin and location of the lesion and to rule out malignancy. En bloc resection was attempted for lesions originating in the muscularis mucosa or submucosa. For tumors originating in the muscularis propria, we performed partial resection limited to the covering mucosa to expose the lesion and obtained a sample with standard biopsy forceps. RESULTS: Sufficient samples were obtained in all 54 cases. There was no perforation. Bleeding occurred in only 5 cases (9%) and was easily managed with endoscopic hemostatic methods. EUS and pathologic findings coincided in 74.1% of cases (40 of 54). Benign lesions (leiomyoma, aberrant pancreas, and others) were predominant (52 of 54), although 2 small lesions were confirmed at pathologic study to be malignant (leiomyosarcoma and leiomyoblastoma). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection based on EUS findings proved to be an effective and safe method to confirm the histologic diagnosis of submucosal tumor of the upper GI tract. Endoscopic resection should be considered a valuable choice for definitive management of benign submucosal tumors originating in the superficial layers.     

Rectal laterally spreading tumors successfully treated in two steps by endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection

Background  

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced technique of therapeutic endoscopy alternative to endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms >2 cm. ESD allows for the direct dissection of the submucosa and large lesions can be resected en bloc. ESD is not limited by resection size, increases histologically complete resection rates and may reduce the local recurrence.     

Hepatic cyst misdiagnosed as a gastric submucosal tumor： A case report

We describe here a case of 51-year-old woman with a symptomatic hepatic cyst that was misdiagnosed as a gastric submucosal tumor （SMT） with endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） and CT scan. The patient presented with an epigastric pain for two months. On endoscopy, a submucosal tumor was found on the cardia of the stomach. Based on EUS and abdominal CT scan, the lesion was diagnosed as a gastric duplication cyst or a gastrointestinal stromal tumor （GIST）. The operative plan was laparoscopic wedge resection for the GIST of the gastric cardia. A cystic mass arising from the left lateral segment of the liver was found at the laparoscopic examination. There was no abnormal finding at the gastric cardia. She was treated by laparoscopic hepatic wedge resection including the hepatic cyst using an endoscopic linear stapler.     

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastrointestinal neoplasms

Endoscopic submucosal dissection （ESD） is an advanced technique of therapeutic endoscopy for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms. Three steps characterize it：injecting fluid into the submucosa to elevate the lesion, cutting the surrounding mucosa of the lesion, and dissecting the submucosa beneath the lesion. The ESD technique has rapidly permeated in Japan for treatment of early gastric cancer, due to its excellent results of en- bloc resection compared to endoscopic mucosal resection （EMR）. Although there is still room for improvement to lessen its technical difficulty, ESD has recently been applied to esophageal and colorectal neoplasms. Favorable short-term results have been reported, but the application of ESD should be well considered by three aspects：（1） the possibility of nodal metastases of the lesion, （2） technical difficulty such as location, ulceration and operator＇s skill, and （3） organ characteristics.     

CLINICAL ADVANTAGES OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR GASTRIC CANCERS IN REMNANT STOMACH SURPASS CONVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTION

Aim: Endoscopic submucosal dissection was developed to address the shortcomings of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. The present study evaluated the benefits of endoscopic submucosal dissection compared with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection for the treatment of neoplasms arising from the remnant stomach after gastrectomy or esophagectomy. Methods: This study, which was designed as a historical control study, evaluated 22 gastric cancers in remnant cancers treated by conventional endoscopic mucosal resection and another 40 cancers treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Results: Patient characteristic between the two groups were not different except for tumor size, which was larger in patients with endoscopic submucosal dissection. The local complete resection rate and the curative resection rate were significantly higher in the endoscopic submucosal dissection group compared to those in the mucosal resection group (95.0% vs 40.9% and 80.0% vs 40.9%, respectively). Complication rate showed no significant difference in the two groups, although submucosal dissection required a longer operation time. Conclusion: Endoscopic submucosal dissection represents a reliable treatment for gastric cancers in the remnant stomach, surpassing endoscopic mucosal resection.     

Brunner's gland hamartoma: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding -- case report and review of the literature.

An unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is described in a previously healthy 45-year-old man who was admitted to hospital with weakness and fatigue, and had experienced an episode of melena two days before admission. His medical and surgical history was unremarkable. Upon admission to hospital, he showed evidence of iron-deficiency anemia, with a hemoglobin concentration of 61 g/L (normal range 135 to 175 g/L), a mean corpuscular volume of 73 fL (normal range 85.0 to 95.0 fL) and a ferritin concentration of 1.0 microg/L (normal range in males 15 to 400 microg/L). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 3.5 cm ulcerated submucosal mass in the third portion of the duodenum, for which mucosal biopsies were nondiagnostic. A subsequent endoscopic ultrasound revealed a 2.7 x 4.0 cm hyperechoic, cystic, submucosal tumour in the third portion of the duodenum. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration revealed no malignant cells. The patient eventually underwent a resection of the third portion of his duodenum. Surgical pathology revealed that this tumour was a Brunner's gland hamartoma, 4.5 cm in its greatest dimension.     

Current status of endoscopic resection in China

The early diagnosis of early gastrointestinal (GI) diseases is becoming easier than ever before, due to the rapid development of all kinds of endoscopic techniques, including chromoendoscopy, narrowband imaging, magnifying endoscopy, confocal microscopy and autofluorescence imaging. Endoscopic resection is gradually becoming the optimal choice, which is significantly less invasive than conventional surgical interventions. In China, endoscopic resection techniques have been developed very quickly after several pioneers learned from Japanese gastroenterologists. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has achieved remarkable initial outcomes, however, large-scale, multicenter, retrospective studies of the long-term follow up of ESD outcomes in China are still lacking. New endoscopic interventions are also being developed from the ESD technique, namely, endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric submucosal tumors, peroral endoscopic myotomy and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection techniques. Here, we discuss the current status of endoscopic resection in China and several problems: (i) the lack of guideline or consensus from academic society; (ii) approximately half of the ESD are performed on benign submucosal tumors, so the diagnosis of mucosal cancers needs to be increased; (iii) the standard technique used, results, management of complications and follow-up should be standardized; and (iv) the minimum training requirements, the step-by-step approach should also need to be standardized.     

Endoscopic prediction of tumor margin and invasive depth in early gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the world. The prognosis of GC is clearly associated with the tumor stage, with a 5‐year overall survival rate for early gastric cancer (EGC) exceeding 90%, which is significantly higher than that of advanced gastric cancer. Endoscopic resection, including endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, has been adopted in recent decades as the first treatment option of EGC in many countries for its minimal invasion and high curative rate. However, the horizontal and vertical margins are related to the curative resection of EGC and the prognosis of patients. Thus the accurate prediction of the tumor boundary and its invasive depth before treatment counts for much in planning the most appropriate treatment strategy and promising curative resection. To date, various endoscopic techniques have been identified to play a role in pretreatment evaluation, such as white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, narrow band imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography. This article aimed to summarize the diagnostic methods, applications and limitations of these different endoscopic techniques for identifying tumor horizontal and vertical margins in EGC, helping to increase preoperative evaluation of capabilities and to improve the curative resection rate of EGC.     

Correlation of endoscopy and histology in the gastroesophageal mucosa in children: are routine biopsies justified?

Guidelines for obtaining biopsies during endoscopy in children are needed. The endoscopic evaluation may be considered deficient on many occasions if not accompanied by a histopathologic evaluation. A retrospective review of our endoscopic records and biopsies was undertaken to determine the correlation of the visualized endoscopic appearance and the histopathologic findings in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract in children. Over a 1-year period, 204 patients, all of whom had esophageal biopsies and 59 of whom had gastric biopsies as well, were evaluated by an upper GI endoscopy. Endoscopic findings included erythema, granularity, abnormal vascular pattern, friability, erosions, plaques, ulceration, and strictures. Histologic evaluation of biopsies was undertaken by one pathologist according to the presence of and type of cellular infiltrate and cellular morphologic abnormalities in the mucosa and submucosa where available. In this study, the correlation of endoscopic appearance with histology was rather limited in both the esophagus and the gastric mucosa. Low specificity and sensitivity of endoscopy in both locations (41% and 81% for the esophagus; and 43% and 86% for the gastric mucosa, respectively) illustrated the discrepancy. The overall accuracy of endoscopic evaluation in matching the histologic diagnosis was not more than two out of three (63.8%). No single endoscopic finding had a reliable correlation with histologic diagnosis but some had higher predictive value than others. Of the multiple indications for endoscopy in children, recurrent abdominal pain had the least diagnostic yield. Endoscopic appearance correlates poorly with histologic diagnosis in the gastroesophageal mucosa in children. Regardless of the appearance of the mucosa, routine biopsy during upper GI endoscopy in children should be encouraged.     

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound for evaluation of submucosal lesions in gastrointestinal tract

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound is widely used following endoscopy for evaluation of suspected submucosal lesions and may guide further management of patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 181 consecutive patients with suspected submucosal lesion in the upper gastrointestinal tract were diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound between 1990-97. We evaluated: 1) the potential of endoscopic ultrasound criteria to predict histological type of submucosal lesions in 69 patients with available histology, 2) the ability of endoscopic ultrasound alone or with clinical presentation, to predict malignancy in 86 patients with available histology or follow-up of >12 months. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing 44 gastrointestinal stromal tumours were 95 and 72%, respectively, while 25 miscellaneous lesions were diagnosed correctly in only 56% by endoscopic ultrasound. Diagnosis of malignancy, using any two of three endoscopic ultrasound criteria (heterogeneous echotexture, size >3 cm, irregular margins) showed a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 77%, giving accurate endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis in 16/20 malignant and 51/66 benign submucosal lesion. Heterogeneous echotexture, size >3 cm, and irregular margins showed a relative risk of 7.2, 5.4 and 4.6, respectively, for presence of malignancy. The presence of symptoms, potentially suggesting malignancy (dysphagia, gastrointestinal bleeding, pain and weight loss), had a relative risk of 4.2, however this did not increase the accuracy of diagnosing malignancy based on endoscopic ultrasound criteria alone. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of endoultrasound is high in diagnosing gastrointestinal stromal tumours, which show a significant potential of malignancy. Endoscopic ultrasound morphology appears to be helpful in selection of patients for surgical or conservative treatment. The accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound in differential diagnosis of non-gastrointestinal stromal tumour lesions is limited.     

早期胃癌内镜治愈性切除的影响因素

目的分析影响早期胃癌内镜治愈性切除的危险因素,提高内镜治愈性切除早期胃癌的可能性。方法收集2008年10月至2013年3月行内镜切除治疗的早期胃癌（包括高级别上皮内瘤变）患者的临床资料;分析性别、年龄、病灶位置、病灶直径、病灶内镜形态学分型及伴有溃疡形成6个因素对内镜切除术（ER）整块切除及治愈性切除的影响;同时分析非治愈性切除的主要原因。结果纳入早期胃癌共94例包含94个病灶,其中高级别上皮内瘤变病灶20个,黏膜内癌病灶70个,黏膜下浅层浸润癌（距黏膜肌层500斗m以内）病灶4个。其中5个病灶经EMR切除,89个病灶经ESD切除。ER整块切除率为95．7％（90／94）,治愈性切除率为79．8％（75／94）。直径〉3．0cm的病灶治愈性切除率显著低于直径≤2．0em的病灶（P=0．022,OR=0．108,95％C1：0．016—0．721）,伴有溃疡形成的病灶治愈性切除率显著低于不伴有溃疡形成的病灶（P=0．047,OR=0．149,95％CI：0．023～0．971）。非治愈性切除的主要原因是侧缘肿瘤细胞的残留。结论病灶直径〉3．0cm、伴有溃疡形成是影响早期胃癌ER治愈性切除的危险因素。     

Clinical outcome of endoscopic aspiration mucosectomy for early stage gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection is an established treatment option for early stage gastric cancer. However, several problems with endoscopic mucosal resection remain to be solved, such as appropriate treatment for recurrence and incomplete tumor resection. The outcome for patients undergoing endoscopic aspiration mucosectomy (endoscopic mucosal resection) by a modification of the cap-fitted technique was evaluated retrospectively to determine factors associated with complete resection and tumor recurrence. METHODS: Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed in 106 patients with early stage gastric cancers up to 20 mm in diameter that were well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. All were superficial lesions without ulceration, distinct signs of submucosal invasion, or a poorly demarcated border. En bloc (tumors <10 mm in diameter) or piecemeal (tumors 10-20 mm in diameter) resection was performed. Follow-up endoscopy was performed at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and thereafter once per year. Outcome and factors associated with complete resection and tumor recurrence were assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients (64%) underwent en bloc resection and 38 (36%) piecemeal resection. The mean longest dimension (SD) of the resected lesions was significantly greater after piecemeal resection (12.3 [4.0] mm) than after en bloc resection (7.6 [4.0] mm; p < 0.01). In patients with tumors completely resected, there was no recurrence after either en bloc or piecemeal resection. Six of 8 patients found to have submucosal invasion after endoscopic mucosal resection underwent surgery. Patients with incompletely resected intramucosal lesions underwent additional endoscopic treatment. Cancer recurred in 3 patients (2.8%), all of whom had lesions measuring more than 15 mm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic mucosal resection is safe and useful for the management of early stage gastric cancer. Further improvement in outcome requires more accurate preoperative diagnosis and postoperative histopathologic evaluation. Patients with incompletely resected lesions should undergo aggressive additional treatment.     

胃肠神经内分泌肿瘤内镜表现及内镜下治疗效果分析

目的 探讨胃肠神经内分泌肿瘤的超声内镜表现及内镜下治疗效果。 方法 纳入在西安交通大学第一附属医院行内镜下治疗的27例胃肠神经内分泌肿瘤患者资料，回顾性分析其临床特征、超声内镜表现、病理特征及内镜下治疗效果。 结果 27例患者的病变内镜下表现为黏膜下隆起，超声内镜检查示病变长径（0.69±0.44）cm（0.32~2.00 cm），来源于黏膜下层14例（51.9%）、黏膜肌层8例（29.6%）、黏膜层5例（18.5%），诊断准确率92.0%。行内镜黏膜切除术（endoscopic mucosal resection,EMR）6例，内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）21例，ESD术后出血发生率4.8%。术后病理为G1级20例（74.1%），G2级6例（22.2%），G3级伴淋巴管癌栓1例（3.7%）。术后随访3~36个月总生存率96.3%，对于局限于黏膜下层以内、无脉管浸润的G1、G2级神经内分泌瘤患者，EMR术后复发率较ESD高（33.3%比0，P=0.042）；EMR与ESD术后出血、穿孔并发症及患者生存率差异无统计学意义。 结论 超声内镜可用于胃肠神经内分泌肿瘤的术前诊断，对2 cm以内、黏膜下层以内、无脉管浸润的G1、G2级胃肠神经内分泌瘤ESD治疗复发率低于EMR。     

Endoscopic features of gastric carcinoids

Endoscopic findings were studied in eight patients with gastric carcinoid tumors. Five patients had a single tumor and the remainder had multiple tumors. Endoscopic examinations revealed smooth, submucosal masses rounded in shape in all patients. In six patients, the lesion was accompanied by an irregularly shaped erythematous depression or ulceration, which was considered to be a characteristic endoscopic finding of gastric carcinoid. An accurate preoperative diagnosis was made in six patients by endoscopy in combination with biopsy.