title: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tru-cut biopsy for diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The most common mesenchymal tumors of gastrointestinal tract are gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). These tumors originate from muscularis propria layer. Tissue diagnosis is usually difficult by endoscopic mucosal biopsy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided Tru-Cut biopsy (EUS-TCB) for GISTs before treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of six patients in the period between June 2006 and May 2009 were included in this study. EUS-TCB was performed with a 19-gauge core needle to obtain sufficient specimen for pathological and immunohistochemical studies. All tumor sizes were larger than 2 cm. Specimen size and the number of needle passes were both recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Core tissues were successfully procured by EUS-TCB in all tumors (100%). The mean tumor size was 50 mm (range 30-75 mm). The final pathological diagnosis was c-kit positive stromal tumor in five patients and leiomyoma in one patient. The mean size of specimen was 8 mm (range 3-13 mm) and the mean number of needle passes was 2 (range 1-3). No patient developed complications after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS-TCB is a safe, quicker procedure that offers sufficient tissue acquisition for pathological diagnosis and clinical decision-making in patients with GISTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yin-Yi
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Jau-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lien
authors.forename: Soh-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Tse-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Pang-Chi
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Tang
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged