Endoscopic Ultrasound for Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal and are rare in the pediatric population. The most common clinical manifestation is anemia secondary to GI bleeding. Endoscopy is commonly used for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of an obstructing mass or gastrointestinal bleed, while experience with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for pediatric patients with suspected gastric tumors is limited. We report 2 cases, a 14-year-old male and an 11-year-old female, who presented with symptomatic anemia. Both patients were diagnosed with GI stromal tumors of the stomach using EUS and EUS-FNA. This report shows that EUS and EUS-FNA are safe and effective diagnostic tools for pediatric patients.