7011 Clinical utility of endoscopic ultrasound in bening gastrointestinal pathology. preliminary report in venezuela.

Abstract

Endoscopic Ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of gastrointestinal lesions, however clinical utility is uncertain. <i>Aim:</i>to determine Endoscopic Ultrasound usefulness in benign gastrointestinal lesions. <i>Methods:</i>We studied restrospectively 59 consecutives patients who underwent Endoscopic Ultrasound. Complete information was obtained in 53 patients (15 men, 38 women) median age of 44 years. Final diagnosis was confirmed by conventional or endoscopic surgery in 10 patients, endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography with or without sphinterotomy in 18, histology in 4 and medical follow up in 21 patients (median 4.6 months). 35 patients had an initial doubtful diagnosis: submucous tumor in 10 cases, pancreatic lesion in 16, biliary lesion in 7 and other lesion in 2 cases. 18 patients had an initial syndromatic diagnosis of extrahepatic cholestasis in 10 cases, acute or recurrent pancreatitis in 5, one hemobilia, one abdominal pain and one severe hypoglycemia. <i>Results:</i>Endoscopic Ultrasound findings were: 1 esophageal papiloma, 4 gastric lesions, 20 pancreatic lesions, 14 biliary lesions, 12 normal studies and 2 non conclusive. Endoscopic Ultrasound had 3 false negative and 5 false positive.Was helpful in 85% (45/53) of the cases because provided 9 etiological diagnosis, recommended curative therapy in 16 cases and stopped further studies in 20 cases. In 11% of the cases it did not improved preliminary diagnosis and in 4% was misleading with one mistake and one non curative surgical therapy. In two patients the correct etiology was not determined but Endoscopic Ultrasound allowed endoscopic tumor resection without complications. <i>Conclusions:</i>Endoscopic Ultrasound should be considered as a diagnostic method for benign gastrointestinal lesions after preliminary exams are made and diagnosis remains uncertain.