CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2018; 09(04): 149-154
DOI: 10.4103/jde.JDE_72_18
Review Article
Journal of Digestive Endoscopy

Thickened Gastric Folds: Approach

Roshan Agarwala
Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
,
Jimil Shah
Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
,
Usha Dutta
Department of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 September 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Thickened gastric folds (TGF) are not an uncommon finding on radiological imaging or endoscopy. It is an enigmatic condition requiring a systematic approach with correlation between clinical, laboratory, radiological, endoscopic, and histological parameters to reach a final diagnosis. It has a varied number of differential diagnosis and reaching the final diagnosis is often challenging even to an astute clinician. Findings on endoscopy are similar and biopsy results often equivocal. Differentiating between benign and malignant conditions is challenging. Routine pinch biopsy usually does not sample deep enough to get an adequate tissue sample, and other methods of biopsy may be required. Newer modalities, such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS‑guided sampling, are helpful in differentiating benign from malignant causes. At times, exploratory laparotomy and full‑thickness biopsy may be required for final diagnosis. In this review, we discuss the various differentials of TGF, with special emphasis on how to approach a case of TGF.