Published online Dec 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.9034
Revised: October 7, 2013
Accepted: November 3, 2013
Published online: December 21, 2013
Processing time: 172 Days and 4.4 Hours
AIM: To determine if there is consistency between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings and pathological results for detecting lesions of different depth in the esophageal mucosa.
METHODS: A canine (Beagle) model was established in which lesions of different depths were created in the esophageal mucosa by thermal burning. Seventy-two hours later, these lesions and adjacent tissue in the esophagus were examined by EUS. EUS findings including infiltrating depth, strength of echogenicity and homogeneity were recorded. Dogs were sacrificed and tissue specimens were obtained. We then compared the EUS findings with the pathology reports.
RESULTS: Thermal burns created at different power settings caused lesions of different depth in the esophageal mucosa. When the echo strength was shifted from high, medium, to low echogenicity, an increase in the infiltrating depth of the lesion was noted, which coincided with results of the pathology examination. Obvious submucosal edema visualized by EUS was also detected by pathology. Furthermore, because of the enhancement caused by the submucosal edema, the lesions invading into the submucosa were easily visualized by EUS.
CONCLUSION: There is consistency between EUS findings and pathological results of esophageal lesions with different depths. Submucosal edema can serve as an ultrasonic contrast agent.
Core tip: Nowadays, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an optimal modality to detect early esophageal cancer (EC); however, it is still unknown whether there is correlation between EUS findings and pathological results. In this animal study, superficial esophageal lesions with different infiltrating depth in dogs were created by thermal burning. There is consistency between EUS imaging and pathology. The accompanied submucosa edema can sever as an ultrasonic contrast agent.