Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for colorectal tumor with positive muscle-retracting sign

Objectives

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for colorectal tumors with positive muscle-retracting (MR) sign often results in incomplete resection or discontinuation owing to the difficulty of submucosal dissection. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in diagnosing the MR sign and performing ESD using the pocket-creation method (PCM).

Methods

Thirty-six cases of colorectal tumors with positive MR sign during ESD between January 2015 and December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were divided into two groups: 1) the conventional method (CM) group, comprising 29 cases, and 2) the PCM group with seven cases, in which preoperative EUS and ESD using PCM were performed. Treatment outcomes were compared between the groups. The diagnostic yield of EUS for the MR sign was evaluated among large sessile tumors >20 mm in which preoperative EUS was performed.

Results

Histologic diagnosis was adenoma or Tis carcinoma in 12 cases (33%), T1 carcinoma in 18 cases (50%), T2 carcinoma in four cases (11%), and unevaluable in two cases (6%). The sensitivity and specificity of the EUS-MR sign for large sessile tumors were 87.5% and 83.3%, respectively. ESD was achieved in all cases in the PCM group, although it was discontinued in eight cases (28%) in the CM group. There were significant differences between the PCM and CM groups in en bloc resection (100% vs. 48%, p = 0.013) and R0 resection rates (71% vs. 31%, p = 0.049).

Conclusion

The MR sign can be predicted by preoperative EUS, and ESD using PCM allows en bloc resection.

A case of endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the submucosal tunnel

The patient was a 49-year-old female with a submucosal tumor (12×12 mm) located in the lesser curvature side of the stomach. The diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration was of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed gastrointestinal stromal tumor with an intra-luminal growth type. Endoscopic full-thickness resection was then performed. To achieve good counter traction, enough safety margin, and minimal defect of muscle, full-thickness resection via creating a submucosal tunnel was performed as a new technique. The final histological diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumor with R0 resection.