Endoscopic ultrasonographic findings in benign and malignant diseases of the stomach.

Endoscopic ultrasonographic (EUS) imaging was performed to examine the depth, extent and tissue character of gastric lesions in nine patients. Two patients with linitis plastica had endoscopically normal gastric mucosa, but a thickened gastric wall showing loss of normal layer structure on examination with EUS. In four patients the internal structure of gastric polyps could be imaged, showing the relationship to the gastric wall layers. EUS demonstrated the depth of gastric ulcers in three patients. Abnormalities in the echogenicity of the gastric wall adjacent to the ulcers were observed. EUS provides a three-dimensional endoscopic and ultrasonographic picture of the gastric mucosal surface and underlying wall, providing structural information not otherwise obtainable without examining the resected tissue.