The role of EUS in relation to other imaging modalities in the differential diagnosis between mass forming chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis and ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2012 Jun;104(6):315-21. doi: 10.4321/s1130-01082012000600006.

Abstract

Differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions remains as an important clinical challenge, mainly for the differentiation between mass forming chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can all provide valuable and complementary information in this setting. Among them, EUS has the unique ability to obtain specimens for histopathological diagnosis and can therefore play a crucial role in the evaluation patients with inconclusive findings on initial examinations. Nowadays, new developed techniques associated to EUS, like elastography and contrast enhancement, have shown promising results for the differential diagnosis of these pancreatic lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endosonography*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pancreatitis / immunology
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Pancreatitis, Chronic / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray