The Diagnosis of Subepithelial Lesions in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Kim, Jie Hyun

doi:2011.11.2.71

Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res > Volume 11(2); 2011 > Article

Review

The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research 2011;11(2):71-74.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2011.11.2.71 Published online September 10, 2011.

The Diagnosis of Subepithelial Lesions in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Jie Hyun Kim

Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. otilia94@yuhs.ac

상부위장관에서 상피하 병변의 진단

김지현

연세대학교 의과대학 강남세브란스병원 내과학교실

Abstract

The finding of a mass lesion in the upper gastrointestinal tract at endoscopy with normal overlying mucosa is common. The differential diagnosis of these lesions is broad and includes those of intramural or extramural origin. Endoscopic ultrasound provides accurate imaging of subepithelial lesions and characterizes them according to size, echogenicity, and layer of origin if the lesion is intramural. Endoscopic ultrasound allows a guided tissue sample to be obtained for histological confirmation which is especially important for hypoechoic lesions arising from the 3rd or 4th echogenic layers. The purpose of this article is to review the diagnosis of the more common subepithelial lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Key Words: Subepithelial; Submucosal; Endosonography