title: Endoscopic findings and pathologic characteristics of gastric eosinophilic granuloma: a report of 18 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the endoscopic findings and patholo-gic characteristics of gastric eosinophilic granuloma (GEG).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 18 cases of gastric eosinophilic granulomas was conducted. Gastroscopy was performed and all specimens of biopsies were stained by HE and observed under light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ulcer was the most frequent endoscopic appearance. The others included deformed pylorus and/or duodenal bulb, esophagitis, mucous hyperemia and/or mucosal erosion. Eosinophilic cell infiltration and generous hyperplasia of arterioles, venules and lymph vessels were found in the lesions of the patients. Interstitium had massive eosinophilic infiltrates and was made up of collagen fibers and fibroblasts. Lymphoid follicles were revealed in some sections of biopsies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GEG is lack of specific symptoms and physical signs. It can be misdiagnosed as gastric ulcer in most cases before biopsies. Endoscopy and endoscopic multiple deep biopsies in suspected areas are indispensable for correct diagnosis of GEG.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Chong
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jie-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: He-Sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004803:Eosinophilic Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology