Linitis plastica other diagnostic studies

Brush cytology may be helpful in the diagnosis of linitis plastica and its complications. Brush cytology has the ability to increase the sensitivity of even a single biopsy carried out by endoscopic ultrasound. If bleeding is a concern in the patient, brush cytology is able to take samples of the mucosa without causing bleeds. Immunohistochemical staining then confirms the diagnosis of linitis plastica by the detection of signet ring cells. Peritoneal cytology can also be useful in those that are negative for metastasis elsewhere.

• Brush cytology with immunohistochemical staining may be helpful in the diagnosis of linitis plastica.^[1]
• Brush cytology has the following advantages:
  • No risk of bleeding
  • Increased sensitivity of single biopsy
  • Sensitive to poorly differentiated linits plastica

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