Pancreatic cystic lesions: The value of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound to influence the clinical pathway

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cystic pancreatic lesions are a growing diagnostic challenge. The aim of this study was to proof a new diagnostic concept based on contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS) for differential diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients with unclear cystic pancreatic lesions were included. The initial diagnostic was made by CE-EUS dividing the lesions in a group without contrast enhancing effect in the cystic wall, septae or nodule indicating pseudocysts or dysontogenetic cysts and a group with contrast enhancing effect in the described structures indicating cystic neoplasias. The investigations were performed using a Pentax echoendoscope and Hitachi Preirus ultrasound machine. The contrast enhancer used was 4.8 mL SonoVue(®) (Bracco, Italy). The group with suspected cystic neoplasia was referred for endoscopic fine-needle puncture for further diagnostic or treatment decisions. RESULTS: The dividing of the groups by contrast-enhanced ultrasound was feasible because all (n = 56) suspected cystic neoplasias showed a contrast enhancing effect, whereas in only 4 from 69 pseudocystic or dysontogenetic cystic lesions a contrast enhancing effect in the wall could be observed. Endoscopic fine-needle puncture could diagnose all malignant neoplasias and relevant premalignant conditions. The long-term follow-up did not show any development of malignant cystic lesions. CONCLUSION: Using CE-EUS and endoscopic fine-needle puncture as diagnostic criteria seemed to be a feasible method to deal with different cystic lesions in daily practice.