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

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.