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Endoscopy 1997; 29(9): 850-853
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1004320
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endosonographic Features of Esophageal Granular Cell Tumors

L. Palazzo1,3 , B. Landi1 , Ch. Cellier1 , G. Roseau2,3 , S. Chaussade2 , D. Couturier2 , J. Barbier1
  • 1Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Laennec Hospital, Paris V University, Paris, France,
  • 2Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Cochin Hospital, Paris V University, Paris, France,
  • 3Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Turin Clinic, Paris, France
This work was presented during the digestive disease week at the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 1994. Gastrointest Endosc 1994; 40: A218 (abstract).
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Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Background and Study Aims: Granular cell tumors of the esophagus are rare tumors. A definite diagnosis is achieved by endoscopic biopsies in only 50 % of cases. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the best procedure in the evaluation of upper gastrointestinal tract submucosal tumors. The aim of this study was to describe the endosonographic findings of esophageal granular cell tumors.

Methods: From January 1989 to March 1994, 15 patients with 21 granular cell tumors which had negative biopsies were examined by EUS (Olympus GF UM3 or GF UM20, 7,5 and 12 MHz). In five cases, the tumor was also studied with a 20 MHz Olympus miniprobe. The final histological diagnoses were obtained by subsequent endoscopic snare resection in 20 cases and surgically in one case.

Results: The endosonographic features (with the GF UM3 or GF UM20) of esophageal granular cell tumors were: a) a tumor size of less than 2 cm in 95 % of cases; b) an hypoechoic solid pattern in 100 % of cases; c) a tumor arising in the inner layers in 95 % (second echo-poor layer n = 15; third echo-rich layer n = 5). In one case, the endosonographic finding was transmural malignant infiltration of the esophageal wall (histologically confirmed).

Conclusion: When a granular cell tumor of the esophagus is suspected, EUS can show the inner layer location of the tumor and thus contribute to planning the endoscopic resection or follow up. When the tumor also invades the outer layers, EUS can contribute to planning the surgical resection.

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