Percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreas following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Fine needle aspiration biopsies were performed in 9 patients with suspected pancreatic malignancies demonstrated and localized by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The biopsies were positive in 7 of 8 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and there were no complications. ERCP is an accurate method for diagnosing pancreatic cancer which may be confirmed safely and easily by fine needle aspiration biopsy.