[Value of endosonography in tumors of the upper GI tract in comparison with different scanners (Radial 360 degrees and Sector Scanner 120 degrees].

This comparative study was performed to determine the value of two endosonography devices, i.e, the radial and the longitudinal transducer, for staging upper GI tract cancer. The accuracy of both methods was comparable in esophageal cancer, whereas radial scanning was superior in gastric cancer. Generally radial scanning provided better spatial orientation and was easier to assess. An advantage of the longitudinal curved array scanner is the feasibility of EUS-guided biopsy.