ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE NEEDLE BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED GASTRIC LINITIS PLASTICA

Aims Gastric linitis plastica (GLP) is a diffuse infiltrating type of gastric adenocarcinoma. It is associated with a poor prognosis and a five-year survival of 3-10%. The infiltrating profile of this tumor explains the low yield of the superficial mucosal biospies. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) in the diagnosis of GLP.

Methods We performed a retrospective analysis including all patients who had a EUS-FNB, for suspected GLP, at a tertiary referral center, over the last 3 years. A GLP was suspected based on the presence of a gastric wall thickening, or perigastric lymph nodes on abdominal CT, or gastric stenosis, enlarged gastric folds, or pangastric infiltration on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The primary outcome was the sensitivity of EUS-FNB in patients with suspected GLP.

Results Between January 2017 and December 2020, 34 patients had a EUS-FNB for suspected GLP. Ten patients had a diagnostic of GLP. This diagnosis was obtained by EUS-FNB in 90% (9/10) of the cases. Eight patients had at least one previous esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with negative mucosal biopsies. Gastric EUS-FNB helped diagnose other serious conditions in 47% (16/34) of cases with inconclusive mucosal biopsies.

Fig. 1

Conclusions Gastric EUS-FNB in patients with suspected GLP and normal endoscopic mucosal biopsies may lead to a positive diagnosis of GLP in 90% of cases without notable adverse events. This technique should be considered as a second step in the setting of suspicion of GLP after inconclusive mucosal biopsies.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022