Endoscopy 1991; 23(5): 251-254
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1010679
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Guillotine Needle Biopsy as a Supplement to Endosonography in the Diagnosis of Gastric Submucosal Tumors

G. C. Caletti1 , E. Brocchi1 , A. Ferrari1 , G. Bonora1 , D. Santini2 , G. Mazzoleni2 , L. Barbara1
  • 1Department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • 2Department of Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

The presumptive diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors can be made by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) but histological confirmation is still required. A special guillotine biopsy device (Flexi-Temno) which enables collection of adequate submucosal samples by the endoscopic approach was therefore evaluated. After visualization by EUS the guillotine needle biopsy was performed in 21 patients with submucosal tumors of the stomach. There were 2 failures in 2 patients with leiomyomas. The diagnosis suggested by EUS was confirmed by guillotine biopsy in 17 cases. Guillotine biopsy detected 2 cases of unsuspected leiomyosarcoma which were confirmed surgically. In cases of solid submucosal tumors confirmed on EUS, the guillotine needle biopsy enables a definitive histologic diagnosis. Thus malignancies can be detected when EUS findings are not significant.