Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of gastric linitis plastica

Abstract We report two cases of patients with gastric linitis plastica (GLP), in which the histopathological diagnosis was made by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy (EUS‐FNB) using a Franseen‐tip needle. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy findings showed mucosal swelling and poor distensibility of the gastric antrum. Abdominal computed tomography findings showed significant thickening of the gastric wall at the antrum. Conventional endoscopic and bite‐on‐bite biopsy were attempted but resulted in failure to diagnose the lesions. We performed EUS‐FNB to obtain histopathological samples from a deeper site, which confirmed the diagnosis. We considered this method safe and effective for the diagnosis of GLP.