[Endoscopic characteristics of upper gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa or muscularis propria].

BACKGROUND/AIMS Subepithelial tumors are occasionally found during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate endoscopic characteristics of mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa or muscularis propria. METHODS A total of 307 mesenchymal tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract were diagnosed between March 2006 and February 2012 at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Data on endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasonographic findings were collected and analyzed by retrospectively reviewing the medical records. RESULTS The mean size of the mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa was significantly smaller than those originating from muscularis propria (10.5±6.9 mm vs. 14.3±13.9 mm, p=0.035). The most common locations of the mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa and muscularis propria were esophagus (69.1%) and body of the stomach (43.3%), respectively (p<0.001). Rolling sign was more commonly observed with mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa (80.4%, p=0.001), and cushion sign was more frequently absent with those originating from muscularis propria (72.4%, p<0.001). Internal echo was homogenous in 89.7% and 81.9% of mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa and muscularis propria, respectively (p=0.092). CONCLUSIONS The size, location, and movability of mesenchymal tumors originating from muscularis mucosa were different from those of mesenchymal tumor originating from muscularis propria.propria.