Transendoscopic ultrasound of esophageal and gastric cancer using miniaturized ultrasound catheter probes.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of miniaturized ultrasound catheter probes (miniprobes) for preoperative staging of esophageal and gastric cancer.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients with esophageal (n = 21) and gastric cancer (n = 30) underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). All examinations were carried out using mechanical miniprobes (diameter 6F, 12.5 MHz) that were introduced through the instrument channel of the endoscope.


RESULTS
EUS with miniprobes was successfully performed in all patients, although stenotic tumors, which could not be traversed with the endoscope, were found in 6 of 21 patients (29%) with esophageal cancer. Miniprobe scanning provided high-resolution images of the gastrointestinal tract. The overall accuracy in the assessment of tumor infiltration depth for esophageal and gastric cancer was 90% and 82%, respectively. However, the value of miniprobe scanning in the assessment of advanced tumors was limited by the imaging depth of the probe (approximately 3 cm). Lymph node involvement was accurately diagnosed in 78% of the patients with esophageal cancer (sensitivity 75%, specificity 80%) and in 80% of the patients with gastric cancer (sensitivity 73%, specificity 89%).


CONCLUSIONS
EUS with miniprobes can be performed as single-step procedure during diagnostic endoscopy. The 12.5 MHz transducer provides high-resolution imaging and enables accurate staging of tumors with limited infiltration depth.
Hünerbein
M
M
Röbert Rössle Hospital, Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Ghadimi
B M
BM
Haensch
W
W
Schlag
P M
PM
D019160:Endosonography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014159:Transducers