Contrast Harmonic-Endoscopic Ultrasound Is Useful to Identify Neoplastic Features of Pancreatic Cysts (With Videos).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the potential role of contrast harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cysts and detection of malignancy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent CH-EUS for evaluation of cyst wall, septae, and solid components of pancreatic cysts were included. The findings were compared to fine needle aspiration and surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients were included. Serous and mucinous cysts were both hyperenhanced (86% and 89%, respectively; P = ns), whereas pseudocysts were hypoenhanced in 90% of the cases (P = 0.000004 vs serous cysts and P = 0.000005 vs mucinous cysts). Patients showing hyperenhanced solid components were finally diagnosed with malignancy (2 malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, 2 cystic neuroendocrine tumors), in contrast to the patients with nonenhanced solid components who resulted to have either benign cysts with internal mucus clots (n = 10) or pseudocysts with internal debris (n = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

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.