Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in pancreatic masses with inconclusive radiologic workup – a case series and short review of the literature

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a very sensitive examination to detect pancreatic masses and can provide useful information in cases where conventional radiologic workup remains inconclusive. We present three cases in which EUS was decisive in establishing the correct diagnosis. Case 1: A 74-year-old female was hospitalized because of acute pancreatitis. Medical history, CT and MRI gave no clue to etiology, but EUS diagnosed a small pancreatic tumor. Case 2: A female patient was admitted because of abdominal pain and weight loss. While MRI suspected a pancreatic tumor, EUS showed typical features of autoimmune pancreatitis. Case 3: A 50-year-old patient was hospitalized with cachexia, ascites and pulmonary embolism. At first, a pancreatic tumor was suspected, but EUS showed a cystic lesion with a solid component (pancreatic pseudocyst).

An Incidental Pancreatic Finding at 18F-Choline PET/CT: Chronic Mass-Forming Pancreatitis

“…Gu et al suggest using 18F-FDG PET/CT combined with CA19-9 to differentially diagnose pancreatic cancer from CMFP [4]. EUS is a very sensitive examination to detect pancreatic masses and can provide useful information in cases where conventional radiologic workup remains inconclusive [5]. Thanks to its high-resolution images, EUS is more precise than MRI and CT for the diagnosis of small pancreatic lesions.…”