Epidemiological data are scant and imprecise, but approximately one in every 300 routine endoscopies reveals a bulging of the gastrointestinal wall covered by smooth mucosa of normal appearance [1] (Figure [1]). Such a finding, though usually incidental, raises questions of clinical significance: Does the bulging represent a pathology that is real or only a figment of the endoscopist's imagination? Does it result from pressure on the wall from the outside, and if so, what is the compressing structure? Or is there a tumor deep in the wall, under the smooth surface of the overlying mucosa, a so-called submucosal tumor (SMT)? Finally, and most importantly, what is the risk that the lesion in question is malignant and requires treatment?
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Marcin Polkowski (2005) studied this question.