Optimal indication of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography-based cytology in the preoperative pathological diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BackgroundEndoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is extremely useful for pathological diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); however, puncturing is difficult in some cases, and there is a risk of needle tract seeding. This study evaluated the indications for endoscopic retrograde pancreatography-based (ERP)-based cytology for the preoperative diagnosis of PDAC.MethodsThis study included 267 patients with PDAC who underwent preoperative ERP. The diagnostic performance of ERP-based cytology for PDAC was evaluated based on the sample collection method (pancreatic juice cytology [PJC] during ERP, brush cytology, PJC via endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage [ENPD] catheter), lesion site (pancreatic head, body/tail), and lesion size (≤10 mm, 10–20 mm, >20 mm), and compared with the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA.ResultsThe overall sensitivity of ERP-based cytology was 54.9%; sensitivity by the sampling method was 34.7% for PJC during ERP, 65.8% for brush cytology, and 30.8% for PJC via an ENPD catheter. The sensitivity of EUS-FNA was 85.3%. Brush cytology and PJC via an ENPD catheter were performed more often in pancreatic body/tail lesions than in head lesions (P = 0.016 and P < 0.001, respectively), and the overall sensitivity of ERP-based cytology was better for body/tail lesions (63.2% vs. 49.0%, P = 0.025). The sensitivities of ERP-based cytology and EUS-FNA in diagnosing PDAC ≤10 mm were 92.3% and 33.3%, respectively. Post-ERP pancreatitis was observed in 22 patients (8.2%) and significantly less common with ENPD catheters (P = 0.002).ConclusionsERP-based cytology may be considered the first choice for pathological diagnosis of PDAC ≤10 mm and in the pancreatic body/tail.     

Yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for solid pancreatic neoplasms

Objective: Both endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cytology may provide tissue diagnoses in solid pancreatic neoplasms. However, there are scant data comparing these two methods. This study aims at retrospectively comparing EUS-FNA and ERCP tissue sampling and ability of cytopathological diagnosis in solid pancreatic neoplasms and to determine usefulness and adverse events of combining both procedures. Material and methods: Two hundred and thirty four patients suspected to have solid pancreatic mass on abdominal ultrasound and/or computed tomography (CT) were enrolled. EUS-FNA (group A), ERCP cytology (group B) and combined procedures (Group C) performed in 105, 91 and 38 cases, respectively. Results: Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 98.9%, 93.3% and 98.1% for group A, and 72.1%, 60% and 71.4% for group B. Those for group C were all 100%. Sensitivity for malignancy in the pancreas head was 100% for group A and 82.4% for group B, and in the pancreas body and tail, 97.6% for group A and 57.1% for group B. EUS-FNA was more sensitive than ERCP cytology in diagnosing malignant pancreatic neoplasms 21–30?mm in size (p?=?0.0068), 31–40?mm (p?=?0.028) and?≥41?mm (p?Conclusions: EUS-FNA is superior to ERCP cytology for diagnosis of solid pancreatic neoplasms. Although combination of both procedures provide efficient tissue diagnosis and with a minimal adverse events rate, a prospective study including larger number of patients is required.     

Quantitative analysis of K-ras gene mutation in pancreatic tissue obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration: clinical utility for diagnosis of pancreatic tumor

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has become established in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The combination of pathological diagnosis and analysis for mutant K-ras gene was investigated to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. METHODS: EUS-FNA was performed in 34 patients with pancreatic masses (26 adenocarcinomas and eight chronic pancreatitis). Mutant ras gene was analyzed semiquantitatively in the specimens obtained by EUS-FNA as well as in pancreatic juice obtained by ERCP. RESULTS: Mutant gene was detected at high amounts (more than 2% of total ras genes) in 20 of 26 (77%) specimens of EUS-FNA and in 12 of 19 (63%) of pancreatic juice in cases with pancreatic carcinoma. Cytological diagnosis of malignancy by EUS-FNA was found in 16 of 26 (62%) patients with pancreatic cancer. Accurate diagnosis of the carcinoma was 21 of 26 (81%) by combined cytology and molecular method of EUS-FNA, and increased to 23 of 26 (88%) by adding molecular analysis of pancreatic juice. In contrast, mutant gene was absent or low level despite suspicious cytology in patients with benign pancreatic lesion. CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of mutant ras gene supplemented conventional cytology of EUS-FNA and ERCP. Detection of mutation at high amounts may represent pancreatic cancer, whereas its absence increased the possibility of benign lesion.     

Resected tumor seeding in stomach wall due to endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a useful and relatively safe tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. However, there have recently been several reports of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA of adenocarcinomas. A 78-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to upper gastric pain. Examinations revealed a 20 mm mass in the pancreatic body, for which EUS-FNA was performed. The cytology of the lesion was adenocarcinoma, and the stage of the cancer was T3N0M0. The patient underwent surgery with curative intent, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. An enlarging gastric submucosal tumor was found on gastroscopy at 28 mo after surgery accompanied by a rising level of CA19-9. Biopsy result was adenocarcinoma, consistent with a pancreatic primary tumor. Tumor seeding after EUS-FNA was strongly suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the gastric tumor with curative intent. The pathological result of the resected gastric specimen was adenocarcinoma with a perfectly matched mucin special stain result with the previously resected pancreatic cancer. This is the first case report of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA which was surgically resected and inspected pathologically.     

细胞块结合免疫组化在内镜超声引导下穿刺诊断胰腺实性占位中的应用价值

目的探讨超声内镜引导下细针穿刺（EUS—FNA）物行不同细胞学检查方法对胰腺占位性病变的诊断价值。方法前瞻性研究广西医科大学第一附属医院2012年3月至2013年6月收治的胰腺实性占位性病变72例,均行超声内镜引导下细针穿刺活检取材,分别行常规涂片、液基涂片及细胞块结合免疫组化检查。结果72例患者中,最终确诊胰腺肿瘤61例,包括胰腺癌55例、胰腺假乳头状瘤2例、胰腺内分泌肿瘤4例;良性病变11例,包括慢性胰腺炎4例、胰腺结核2例、胰腺炎4例、黏液性囊腺瘤1例。常规涂片、液基涂片和细胞块结合免疫组化对胰腺肿瘤的诊断敏感度分别为68．9％（42／61）、75．4％（46／61）和90．2％（55／61）,特异度均为100．0％,准确率分别为73．6％（53／72）、79．2％（57／72）和91．7％（66／72）,细胞块结合免疫组化诊断准确率高于常规涂片细胞学及液基细胞学（P均〈0．05）。术后患者均无出血、感染、急性胰腺炎等并发症。结论EUS—FNA是一种安全有效的诊断胰腺占位病变的方法,具有高敏感度和特异度。EUS—FNA细胞块结合免疫组化有助于胰腺实性占位病变的定性诊断和组织学分型诊断,对治疗方案的选择有较大的临床应用价值。     

Endoscopic pancreatic stenting was effective in a case of pancreatic duct disruption and leakage due to pancreatic cancer

A 79-year-old man was admitted on the suspicion of acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed acute fluid collection but not typical acute pancreatitis; it formed pseudocysts gradually around the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) revealed pancreatic disruption and leakage. Endoscopic nasopancreatic drainage (ENPD) and endoscopic pancreatic stenting (EPS) resulted in collapse of pseudocysts, improvement of symptoms and laboratory data, and a mass in the pancreatic body became distinct. The specimens obtained with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) showed pancreatic cancer. In conclusion, ENPD and EPS are effective for pancreatic leakage with disruption of the pancreatic duct, and we should take into consideration the possibility of pancreatic cancer when we see patients with pancreatic disruption.     

Rare pancreatic neoplasms: the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration—a large single center study

Background  Tumors other than ductal adenocarcinomas constitute 10%–15% of all pancreatic tumors. We describe the performance and pitfalls of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for diagnosis of these rare pancreatic tumors and their characteristic cytopathological features. Methods  The records of 455 pancreatic fine-needle aspiration procedures done between March 1997 and August 2006 at Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan, were reviewed. Besides cytology, aspirated material was routinely submitted in formalin for cell-block analysis. The reference standard for final diagnosis was surgical pathology from resected specimens. Results  Twenty-eight rare (nonductal adenocarcinomas) pancreatic tumors were identified. Overall, EUS-FNA with the results of cytology, cell-block processing, and immunohistochemistry could correctly diagnose the type of neoplasm in 19 (67.9%) cases. EUS-FNA could distinguish benign from malignant rare tumors with a sensitivity of 69.2%, a specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 79.0%, and accuracy of 85.7%. None of three malignant pancreatic endocrine neoplasms could be diagnosed as malignant. An adequate core tissue sample could be obtained in 21 cases (75.0%) and provide a histopathological diagnosis in 19 (67.9%) cases. EUS-FNA could change the presumptive diagnosis in 11 (39.3%) cases. Specific immunochemical studies were useful adjuncts to the diagnosis. No major or minor complication was noted in any patient. Conclusions  Pancreatic neoplasms other than ductal adenocarcinomas have diverse imaging and histopathological features. EUS-FNA is accurate and safe for their identification.     

Value of endoscopy for early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma

Despite recent advances in diagnostic imaging modalities, most cases of pancreatic carcinoma are discovered at an unresectable stage, resulting in poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure curative treatment and improve the prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Imaging modalities with high diagnostic ability are necessary for the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a reliable and efficient diagnostic modality because it provides superior spatial resolution and should be incorporated into screening programs in patients at high risk of pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopy facilitates cytopathological diagnosis based on samples collected via endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Cytodiagnosis with endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage is useful in patients with carcinoma in situ. In this review, we highlight the potential role of endoscopy in the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. We provide an overview of the endoscopy tools used for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, discuss the diagnostic ability of these tools for small carcinomas and carcinomas in situ, and propose a strategy for endoscopy-based screening of early pancreatic carcinoma.     

不同细胞病理学分级标准对超声内镜引导下细针穿刺诊断胰腺癌的影响

目的探讨不同细胞病理学分级标准对超声内镜引导下细针穿刺(EUS-FNA)诊断胰腺癌效能的影响。方法收集2011年5月—2019年3月于安徽医科大学第一附属医院行EUS-FNA检查的256例胰腺占位患者的临床资料和胰腺细胞病理学诊断结果,以手术病理结果和随访情况作为最终诊断,评估影响EUS-FNA诊断效能的相关因素。计量资料两组间比较采用独立样本t检验或Mann-Whitney U检验;计数资料两组间比较采用χ^2检验。应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)评价不同细胞病理学分级标准对胰腺癌的诊断价值。结果剔除失访患者67例,共189例患者纳入研究,按巴氏细胞病理学标准,EUS-FNA诊断细胞病理学结果为异型细胞47例,疑癌细胞25例,癌细胞20例,未见肿瘤细胞97例。133例经术后病理和随访结果证实为胰腺癌,其中细胞病理学检查结果分别为:未见肿瘤细胞52例,异型细胞36例,疑癌细胞25例,癌细胞20例。EUS-FNA诊断胰腺癌的真阳性率为60.90%(81例),假阴性率为39.10%(52例);非胰腺癌56例,假阳性率为19.64%(11例),真阴性率为80.36%(45例)。EUS-FNA诊断胰腺癌的ROC曲线下面积为0.643(95%CI:0.561~0.724)。联合不同细胞病理学分级标准,分别以“发现异型细胞或可疑癌细胞或癌细胞均为阳性”“发现可疑癌细胞或癌细胞均为阳性”和“发现癌细胞为阳性”为诊断标准进行分析,结果显示,以“发现异型细胞或可疑癌细胞或癌细胞均为阳性”为诊断标准,EUS-FNA诊断胰腺癌的效能提高,敏感度为50.38%,特异度为75.00%。189例患者EUS-FNA术后并发症发生率为6.88%(13例),主要为高淀粉酶血症和腹痛。结论联合不同细胞病理学分级标准有助于提高EUS-FNA对胰腺癌的诊断效能。     

Endoscopic ultrasonography guided-fine needle aspiration for the diagnosis of solid pancreaticobiliary lesions:Clinical aspects to improve the diagnosis

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) has been applied to pancreaticobiliary lesions since the 1990 s and is in widespread use throughout the world today. We used this method to confirm the pathological evidence of the pancreaticobiliary lesions and to perform suitable therapies. Complications of EUS-FNA are quite rare, but some of them are severe. Operators should master conventional EUS observation and experience a minimum of 20-30 cases of supervised EUS-FNA on non-pancreatic and pancreatic lesions before attempting solo EUSFNA. Studies conducted on pancreaticobiliary EUSFNA have focused on selection of suitable instruments(e.g., needle selection) and sampling techniques(e.g., fanning method, suction level, with or without a stylet, optimum number of passes). Today, the diagnostic ability of EUS-FNA is still improving; the detection of pancreatic cancer(PC) currently has a sensitivity of 90%-95% and specificity of 95%-100%. In addition to PC, a variety of rare pancreatic tumors can be discriminated by conducting immunohistochemistry on the FNA materials. A flexible, large caliber needle has been used to obtain a large piece of tissue, which can provide sufficient histological information to be helpful in classifying benign pancreatic lesions. EUSFNA can supply high diagnostic yields even for biliary lesions or peri-pancreaticobiliary lymph nodes. This review focuses on the clinical aspects of EUS-FNA in the pancreaticobiliary field, with the aim of providing information that can enable more accurate and efficient diagnosis.     

Ultrasound-guided vs endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cancer diagnosis

AIM: To clarify the effectiveness and safety of endo- scopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic PC between February 2006 and September 2011 were selected for this retrospective study. FNA biopsy for pancreatic tumors had been performed percutaneously under extracorporeal ultrasound guidance until October 2009; then, beginning in November 2009, EUS-FNA has been performed. We reviewed the complete medical records of all patients who met the selection criteria for the following data: sex, age, location and size of the targeted tumor, histological and/or cytological findings, details of puncture procedures, time from day of puncture until day of definitive diagnosis, and details of severe adverse events. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients who met the selection criteria, 46 had a percutaneous biopsy (Group A) and 75 had an EUS-FNA biopsy (Group B). Adequate cytological specimens were obtained in 42 Group A patients (91.3%) and all 75 Group B patients (P=0.0192), and histological specimens were obtained in 41 Group A patients (89.1%) and 65 Group B patients (86.7%). Diagnosis of malignancy by cytology was positive in 33 Group A patients (78.6%) and 72 Group B patients (94.6%) (P=0.0079). Malignancy by both cytology and pathology was found in 43 Group A (93.5%) and 73 Group B (97.3%) patients. The mean period from the puncture until the cytological diagnosis in Group B was 1.7 d, which was significantly shorter than that in Group A (4.1 d) (P < 0.0001). Severe adverse events were experienced in two Group A patients (4.3%) and in one Group B patient (1.3%). CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA, as well as percutaneous needle aspiration, is an effective modality to obtain cytopathological confirmation in patients with advanced PC.     

Role of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in isolated pancreatic metastasis from lung cancer

A case is reported of a 50-year-old woman with a history of small-cell lung cancer admitted with pancreatic head lesions, discovered during investigation for obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic ultrasound assisted fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic mass was consistent with small cell carcinoma, presenting as an isolated metastasis from the previously diagnosed lung cancer. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancrea- tography (ERCP) showed extrinsic compression and a bile duct stricture, requiring sphincterotomy and stent insertion. This case highlights that acute pancreatitis and biliary obstruction can occur as a manifestation of small cell lung cancer metastasizing to the pancreas. EUS is a safe, low risk and rapid diagnostic tool in such cases, and ERCP with stenting offers a safe and effective treatment option.     

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the molecular diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most deadly types of tumor. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe, cost-effective, and accurate technique for evaluating and staging pancreatic tumors. However, EUS-FNA may be inconclusive or doubtful in up to 20% of cases. This review underlines the clinical interest of the molecular analysis of samples obtained by EUS-FNA in assessing diagnosis or prognosis of pancreatic cancer, especially in locally advanced tumors. On EUS-FNA materials DNA, mRNA and miRNA can be extracted, amplified, quantified and subjected to methylation assay. Kras mutation assay, improves diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. When facing to clinical and radiological presentations of pseudo-tumorous chronic pancreatitis, wild-type Kras is evocative of benignity. Conversely, in front of a pancreatic mass suspected of malignancy, a mutated Kras is highly evocative of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This strategy can reduce false-negative diagnoses, avoids the delay of making decisions and reduces loss of surgical resectability. Similar approaches are conducted using analysis of miRNA expression as well as Mucin or markers of invasion (S100P, S100A6, PLAT or PLAU). Beyond the diagnosis approach, the prediction of response to treatment can be also investigated form biomarkers expression within EUS-FNA materials.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of suspected pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: In many institutions, computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has become the procedure of choice for biopsies of pancreatic mass lesions. This method of biopsy and others, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cytology, are problematic because of a substantial false-negative rate. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the yield of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA biopsies in patients who had negative results on CT-guided biopsy or negative cytologic findings on ERCP sampling. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care university medical center. PATIENTS: 102 patients (median age, 65 years; 58 men and 44 women) with suspected pancreatic cancer who fulfilled the above criteria were prospectively identified and underwent endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA biopsy. MEASUREMENTS: The operating characteristics of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA for diagnosing pancreatic masses were determined. Surgical pathology or long-term follow-up (median, 24 months) was used to identify false-positive or false-negative results. RESULTS: Median mass size was 3.5 cm x 2.7 cm. A median of 3.4 passes were performed. Cytologic results on endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA biopsy were positive in 57 patients, negative in 37, and inconclusive or nondiagnostic in 8. No false-positive results were observed. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was subsequently confirmed in 3 patients who had tested negative (false-negative results) and 1 of the 8 patients with nondiagnostic results. Of these 4 patients, 3 had cytologic evidence of chronic pancreatitis on endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA biopsy. The 95% CI for the likelihood ratio for a positive test result contained all values greater than or equal to 9.7. The likelihood ratio for a negative test result was 0.05 (CI, 0.02 to 0.15). The posterior probability of pancreatic cancer after a definitely positive result was at least 93.5% by a conservative lower 95% confidence limit; after a definitely negative test result, it was 6.9%. The prevalence of pancreatic cancer was 59.8% (61 of 102 patients). Self-limited complications occurred in 3 of the 102 patients (2.9% [CI, 0.6% to 8.4%]). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided FNA biopsy may play a valuable role in the evaluation of a pancreatic mass when results on other biopsy methods are negative but pancreatic cancer is suspected.     

EUS-FNA for suspected malignant biliary strictures after negative endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsy

Background

Endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsy are widely used for the pathological diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures (MBS). However, the sensitivity of these methods remains insufficient, and it can be difficult to confirm the diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and the impact of this technique on clinical management in patients with suspected MBS where endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy yielded negative results.

Methods

This study included 225 consecutive patients with suspected MBS, who underwent endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy at our institutions. Negative results were obtained for these pathological tests in 75 patients, and EUS-FNA was performed in 22 of these patients. We retrospectively compared the EUS-FNA results with the final diagnosis and examined the influence of the EUS-FNA diagnosis on treatment selection.

Results

FNA specimens were successfully obtained in all patients, and the pathological results confirmed malignancy in 16 cases and predicted that the other 6 cases were benign. Of the 6 cases that were suspected to be benign, 3 patients were diagnosed with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis by surgical pathology, and the remaining 3 patients were diagnosed with benign diseases at a follow-up after 12?C18?months. Thus, the EUS-FNA-based diagnosis was proven correct for all the patients. In addition, the treatment strategy was altered as a result of the EUS-FNA results in the above 6 patients (27%).

Conclusions

EUS-FNA is a sensitive and safe diagnostic modality for patients with suspected MBS and can be an additional option in cases where endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy have produced negative results.     

胰腺超声内镜细针穿刺活检物中K—ras基因定量检测对胰腺癌诊断价值的研究

目的比较不同胰腺超声内镜细针穿刺物中K—ras突变定量值,评价其对胰腺癌辅助诊断的价值。方法收集53例胰腺占位病变的超声内镜细针穿刺物,采用肽核酸（PNA）钳制实时定量PER的方法检测K—ras基因野生及突变拷贝数,根据临床综合诊断,与细胞学比较,评价其诊断价值。结果53例患者最后确诊为胰腺癌37例,非恶性胰腺占位16例,胰腺癌组K—ras基因的突变率为83．8％,非恶性胰腺占位组突变率为18．8％,两组之间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。细胞学和K—ran定量检测诊断的灵敏度分别为59．5％和83．8％,将两者联合后诊断胰腺癌的灵敏度可提高至89．2％。结论胰腺组织超声内镜细针穿刺物中K—ras定量检查对胰腺癌有临床辅助诊断价值。     

Diagnosis of mediastinal and left adrenal abnormalities with endoscopic ultrasonography

Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is increasingly used for sampling of mediastinal or left adrenal abnormalities. We report two patients in whom EUS-FNA led to the diagnosis of malignancy. In one patient, left adrenal metastasis of a rectal adenocarcinoma was diagnosed, while in the other patient EUS-FNA established a plasmocytoma in the right hilum and mediastinum after several non-diagnostic interventions.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis

The percentage of patients with atypical extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis has been increasing. Among extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, tuberculosis of the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph nodes is a rare clinical entity. Here, we present a case of peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) both cytologically and microbiologically. A 23-year-old man had a 1-week history of epigastralgia and low-grade fever. Subsequently, he was found to have an abnormality on abdominal ultrasound. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a solitary mass consisting of multiple cystic components with rim enhancement in the peripancreatic portion contiguous to the gall bladder. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed to confirm the diagnosis. The cytological examination revealed epithelioid cells with caseous necrosis, indicating tuberculosis. The aspirated fluid was positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antituberculosis therapy with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide was started based on the PCR and cytology results, and a good response to the treatment was noted. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology with PCR analysis is very useful for the diagnosis of peripancreatic tuberculosis.     

A cost-minimization analysis of alternative strategies in diagnosing pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Several modalities currently exist for tissue confirmation of suspected pancreatic cancer prior to therapy. Since there is a paucity of cost-minimization studies comparing these different biopsy modalities, we analyzed costs and examined effectiveness of four alternative strategies for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A decision analysis model of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer was constructed. We analyzed costs, failure rate, testing characteristics, and complication rates of four commonly employed diagnostic modalities: 1) computerized tomography or ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (CT/US-FNA), 2) endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with brushings (ERCP-B), 3) Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA), and 4) laparoscopic surgical biopsy. If the first attempt with a particular modality failed, a different modality was employed to identify the most preferable secondary biopsy strategy. RESULTS: This analysis identifies EUS-FNA as the preferred initial modality for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Resultant expected costs and strategies in decreasing optimality include: 1) EUS-FNA (1,405 dollars), 2) ERCP-B (1,432 dollars), 3) CT/US-FNA (3,682 dollars), and 4) surgery (17,711 dollars). If a patient presents with obstructive jaundice, decision analysis modeling resulted in a total expected costs of 1,970 dollars if ERCP-B is successful at the time of biliary stent placement. Additional analyses to identify the preferred follow-up modality after a failed alternative method showed that EUS-FNA is the preferred secondary modality if any of the other three modalities failed first, in both the setting of and absence of obstructive jaundice. One- and two-way sensitivity analysis of the variables shows unchanged results over an acceptable range. CONCLUSIONS: This cost-minimization study illustrates that EUS-FNA is the best initial and the preferred secondary alternative method for the diagnosis of suspected pancreatic cancer. In addition to local expertise and availability, costs and diagnostic yield should be considered when choosing an optimal diagnostic strategy.     

A case of peripancreatic tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a rare cause of obstructive jaundice. Here, we report the case of a 33-year-old male with obstructive jaundice caused by tuberculous lymphadenitis around the pancreatic head. The patient was born in China and had immigrated to Japan at 12 years of age. He presented with acute abdominal pain and jaundice. Findings from ultrasonography, computed tomography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were suggestive of a stenosis of the distal common bile duct caused by multiple low-density masses around the pancreatic head with a contrast-enhanced solid rim. We successfully diagnosed the mass as tuberculous lymphadenitis using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The patient was treated with anti-tuberculous combination chemotherapy for 6 months, and subsequently exhibited clinical improvement. Thus, we found that EUS-FNA was a valuable minimally invasive method for diagnosing masses that cause icterus.