OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic and differential diagnostic values of transesophageal echo probe (TEEP) or endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma. METHODS: Between September 1996 and August 2000, TEEP or EUS was used among 23 patients with esophageal submucosal tumor and 11 patients with esophagus constricted from outside, among which 32 cases underwent CT too. All the patients except and 3 with constriction by aorta underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: (1) The accuracy rate of diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma by TEEP or EUS was 95.7% (22/23) in comparison with that by CT of only 42.9% (9/21, chi(2) = 14.69, P = 0.0196). (2) In the 11 patients with esophagi constricted by masses beyond or around esophagus, TEEP or EUS definitely differentiated the damage beyond or around esophagus from esophageal leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal intraluminal ultrasonography (TEEP and EUS) is a reliable method for the preoperative diagnosis and differential diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma and is more accurate than CT.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic and differential diagnostic values of transesophageal echo probe (TEEP) or endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma. METHODS: Between September 1996 and August 2000, TEEP or EUS was used among 23 patients with esophageal submucosal tumor and 11 patients with esophagus constricted from outside, among which 32 cases underwent CT too. All the patients except and 3 with constriction by aorta underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: (1) The accuracy rate of diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma by TEEP or EUS was 95.7% (22/23) in comparison with that by CT of only 42.9% (9/21, chi(2) = 14.69, P = 0.0196). (2) In the 11 patients with esophagi constricted by masses beyond or around esophagus, TEEP or EUS definitely differentiated the damage beyond or around esophagus from esophageal leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal intraluminal ultrasonography (TEEP and EUS) is a reliable method for the preoperative diagnosis and differential diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma and is more accurate than CT.