EUS elastography for the characterization of solid pancreatic masses.
BACKGROUND
Differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses remains a challenge. EUS elastography, by analyzing tissue stiffness of the mass, may be of help in this setting.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the different elastographic patterns of solid pancreatic masses and the diagnostic accuracy of EUS elastography for malignancy.


METHODS
Prospective, consecutive, descriptive study with a second blind evaluation of elastographic patterns for concordance analysis and use of a well-defined reference method for calculation of diagnostic accuracy.


METHODS
This study involved 130 consecutive patients with solid pancreatic masses and 20 controls with normal pancreases.


METHODS
EUS elastography was performed by using a linear Pentax echoendoscope and Hitachi EUB-8500 US.


METHODS
Elastographic patterns of solid pancreatic masses and accuracy of the technique for malignancy.


RESULTS
Mean (SD) size of the masses was 30.9 (12.5) mm. The final diagnosis was malignant tumor in 78 patients, inflammatory mass in 42 patients, and neuroendocrine tumor in 10 patients. Four elastographic patterns were described, with a high concordance among 2 blinded investigators. A green-predominant pattern, either homogeneous or heterogeneous, excluded malignancy with a high accuracy. On the contrary, a blue-predominant pattern, either homogeneous or heterogeneous, supported the diagnosis of malignant tumor. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and overall accuracy of EUS elastography for diagnosis of malignancy were 100%, 85.5%, 90.7%, 100%, and 94.0%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-center study.


CONCLUSIONS
EUS elastography is a useful tool for differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses. It provides specific patterns supporting the benign or malignant nature of the disease.
Iglesias-Garcia
Julio
J
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Larino-Noia
Jose
J
Abdulkader
Ihab
I
Forteza
Jeronimo
J
Dominguez-Munoz
J Enrique
JE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies