Transabdominal ultrasound for visualizing XXXX diagnosed by endosonography: can surveillance be simplified?

@entity5 @entity1 @entity356 @entity418
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Management options for @entity356 ( @entity5 ) include @entity5 removal or surveillance. If the latter is chosen, it requires repeated measurements of the @entity5 diameter. Although this can be achieved using endoscopy or endosonography (EUS), a less invasive and cheaper method would be welcome. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the proportion of gastric @entity5 that can be visualized using transabdominal ultrasound of the water-filled stomach. @entity1 AND METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive @entity1 with endosonographically diagnosed gastric @entity5 underwent transabdominal ultrasound examinations of the water-filled stomach performed immediately after EUS; both procedures were carried out by the same investigator. Transabdominal ultrasound was considered positive only if: firstly, the @entity5 was visualized unequivocally; secondly, its dimensions could be measured; and thirdly, photographic documentation could be recorded. In each case, a positive result had to be confirmed by an independent investigator, who reviewed the photographic documentation. RESULTS: The median size of @entity5 on EUS was 25 mm (range 4 - 55 mm). Twelve @entity5 were located in the antrum, 25 in the gastric body, and 14 in the gastric fundus or @entity418 . Transabdominal ultrasound demonstrated the @entity5 in 35 of 51 @entity1 (69 %). For @entity5 < or = 30 mm, the visualization rate was 61 % (22 of 36). The location of the @entity5 and its EUS features did not significantly affect the sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: In 69 % of @entity1 with endosonographically diagnosed gastric @entity5 , the @entity5 can also be visualized (and measured) using transabdominal ultrasound of the water-filled stomach. This noninvasive and inexpensive method may potentially be useful for surveillance in @entity1 with @entity5 , and further evaluation in this setting is warranted.
