title: EUS-guided Trucut mural biopsies in the investigation of unexplained thickening of the esophagogastric wall.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients with thickened esophagogastric wall on CT but without evidence of malignancy on endoscopic mucosal biopsies, obtaining adequate histology from the gut wall is difficult. We examined whether it is feasible to obtain diagnostic tissue core from the gut wall by using EUS-guided Trucut biopsy technique in this group of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients were included in this study. Under EUS guidance, mucosa was penetrated by using a 19-gauge Trucut needle, and a 18-mm tissue tray was advanced obliquely through the wall layers to avoid penetration of the serosa. Then, the cutting sheath was fired over the tray.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biopsies were performed without complications. Diagnoses of carcinoma were made in 5 patients. Four other patients had benign histology, and, during follow-up, all these diagnoses have been proven to be true negatives. One Trucut biopsy specimen was considered false negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EUS-guided Trucut mural biopsy technique could yield diagnostic tissue cores in patients with unexplained thickening of the esophagogastric wall.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Pathology, Queen's Medical Centre University Hospital, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Guruprasad P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Aithal
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulos
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019160:Endosonography; D004867:Equipment Design; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*