CH-EUS allowed differentiation between pseudocysts and other pancreatic cysts but not mucinous versus serous cysts. Malignant vegetations inside pancreatic cystic lesions were clearly shown by CH-EUS as solid components with features of hyperenhancement, directing EUS-fine needle aspiration of potential neoplastic areas and avoiding puncture of debris and mucus plugs.

In our population, standard EUS features of PM were unremarkable. At CH-EUS, most of the PM appeared hypoenhancing suggesting a possible malignant origin. However, a subset of PM showed hyperenhancing pattern. In the appropriate context, particularly when cancer history is present, CH-EUS may add to the differential diagnosis and potentially spare endoscopic ultrasonography with fine-needle aspiration.

Background and Objectives:Failures of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) imaging of the head of the pancreas (HOP) and the common bile duct (CBD) have been reported in up to 50% of patients with status postsurgery (e.g., Billroth II and Roux-en-Y). This is attributable to inability to intubate the afferent limb or the duodenum. Recently, a forward-view (FV) echoendoscope has become available. The frontal endoscopic and ultrasound field of view theoretically allow easier manipulation throughout the gastrointestinal tract compared to the traditional echoendoscopes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and performance of the FV echoendoscope for the investigation of the biliary tree and the pancreas, including fine-needle aspiration (FNA), in patients with surgically altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy.Patients and Methods:This was a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained database. All EUS procedures were performed at our institution by one experienced endosonographer from March to September 2009 under conscious sedation. The FV echoendoscope was used for all procedures.Results:Twenty-five (25) out of 37 presented status post-Billroth II and 12 out of 37 with status post-Roux-en-Y surgery. Overall, HOP and CBD were adequately visualized in 28 out of 37 (75.7%). All the failures occurred in the Roux-en-Y patients. EUS-FNA was successfully performed in 16 patients. No adverse events were observed.Conclusions:The FV echoendoscope proved to be safe and effective in reaching the periampullary area in patients with previous Billroth II, allowing complete exploration of the HOP and the CBD and performance of EUS-FNA. However, FV EUS was unsuccessful in the majority of patients with Roux-en-Y, which still remains a challenging condition.

No abstract

No abstract