title: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous pancreatic biopsy. Indications, performance and complications.
abstract: The diagnosis of pancreatic masses is often very difficult despite the new developments in imaging methods. As a correct diagnosis has a great impact on the therapy, in certain circumstances it is mandatory to obtain a morphological diagnosis. Although the indications for percutaneous pancreatic biopsy are not standardized, in many circumstances- inoperable pancreatic tumor, suspicion of lymphoma, metastasis or neuroendocrine tumors, differentiation between cystic tumors - a biopsy is clearly indicated. Pancreatic biopsy is usually performed by fine-needles either for cytology or microhistology, the use of larger needles for core biopsy adding a slightly improvement in sensitivity especially in masses from chronic pancreatitis or neuroendocrine tumors. Complications occur seldom, acute pancreatitis and tumoral seeding being the most important. Percutaneous pancreatic biopsy is a safe, flexible and reliable method for diagnosing pancreatic masses
authors.affiliation: 3rd Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Croitorilor no. 19-21, 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Zeno
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Spârchez
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*