ANDRADE, Carla Sousa; CASTRO-POCAS, Fernando; LAGO, Paula    AREIAS, Jorge. Ultrasound endoscopy in the diagnosis of subetpithelial lesions/extrinsic compressions of the lower digestive tract. []. , 17, 2, pp.54-59. ISSN 0872-8178.

INTRODUCTION: Differentiating between subepithelial lesions and extrinsic compression and between benign and malignant lesions may be difficult during regular endoscopic evaluation. AIM: To determine the utility of endosonography in the evaluation of subepithelial lesions/extrinsic compression in the lower gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: 8 years retrospective study of 128 patients with suspicion of subepithelial lesions of the lower digestive tract referred for EUS evaluation. A radial echoendoscope (55,5%) and an ultrasonography endoprobe (12 MHz) (44,5%) were used. RESULTS: Female patients: 57%. Mean age: 58,4 years. Normal exam: 17,97%. Extrinsic compression: 25,8%; 60,6% with pathological meaning. Identification of an extrinsic compression with pathological meaning in patients aged < 50 years and in those with distal lesions had statistic significance. Parietal lesion: 56,3%; 51,3% from submucosa; 27,7% from muscularis propria; mean size 18 mm; regular margins: 86,1%; no calcifications: 90,2%. The diagnosis of mesenchimatous tumor without aggressive endosonographic characteristics was suggested: 59,7%; with aggressive characteristics: 8,3%. Identification of a mesenchimatous tumor in patients aged 50 or more had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Endosonography is an excellent tool in further characterization of subepithelial lesions of the lower gastrointestinal tract, allowing stratification into risk groups.

: Endosonography; Subepithelial lesion; Extrinsic compression; Lower digestive tract.

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