Imaging, endoscopy, and pathologic findings of primary gastritis cystica polyposa: description of a rare entity in a small case series.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to describe a small case series of primary gastritis cystica polyposa (GCP) and explore its imaging features, endoscopic findings, and pathological manifestations.

METHODS

In this institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study, an electronic pathology database in our hospital was searched for all cases of GCP from July 2008 to December 2015, yielding five cases with both radiological and endoscopic examination. The characteristics of imaging and gastroscopy were explored, and the pathological basis was analyzed.

RESULTS

All five cases of GCP occurred in a previously unoperated stomach, which underwent unenhanced CT and enhanced CT, and one of which underwent unenhanced MRI and enhanced MRI as well. Gastroscopy or gastroscopic ultrasound was performed on all five patients. Four submucosal cystic lesions were displayed, including three with low-attenuation liquid, and one with high-attenuation liquid on CT. Another lesion showed soft tissue mass attenuation protruding into the gastric cavity. The surface mucosal layers of all five lesions were smooth and obviously enhanced, with unenhanced cystic component inside. Four submucosal lesions were confirmed by gastroscopy. Gastroscopic ultrasound indicated anechoic area in the center of the lesion. A large mass-like lesion had protruded into the gastric cavity, and gastroscopic ultrasound indicated dispersed anechoic areas in the lesion. All Histopathological analyses indicated mild or moderate epithelial dysplasia, and cystic dilation of the gastric glands in the submucosal layers and lamina propria, surrounded by the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

CONCLUSION

Primary GCP has relatively particular endoscopy features, which can be accurately diagnosed by gastroscopy when the lesion is small. But endoscopy has its limitations in the diagnosis and differentiation for some large lesions. In contrast to gastroscopy and gastroscopic ultrasound, CT or MRI provides more information about both the gastric wall and the extragastric extent of the disease, which is more helpful for differential diagnosis and surgical planning of GCP before operation.