ABSTRACT
Linear endoscopic ultrasonography [EUS] is a proven modality for the diagnosis and treatment of different gastrointestinal lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the role of EUS-FNA in the evaluation of pancreatic and submucosal lesions. Over a 1-year period, in a prospective descriptive study, patients referred to Naft Hospital, underwent linear EUS. Of the 40 linear EUS performed, 32 [80%] patients had pancreatic lesions which 26 [81%] of these cases were referred for pancreatic tumor biopsy. The most of these tumors [73%] were in the head of pancreas. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed in all 26 patients successfully without complications, which in 16 [61.5%] of them the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy confirmed cytopathologically. Sensitivity and specificity of this method in pancreatic lesions were 84% and 100%, respectively. Eight patients [20%] were referred because of submucosal upper gastrointestinal lesions which in 7 [87.5%] of them GIST were diagnosed. Sensitivity and specificity of EUSFNA in submucosal lesions was 100%. No adverse effect of EUS-FNA was observed. EUS-FNA is a safe method with an acceptable accuracy in the evaluation and diagnosis of pancreatic and submucosal lesions. The results of this study are similar to that reported previously from other countries. Performing this new method requires more gastroenterologists and pathologists experience as well as more support from different societies [such as gastroenterology and surgery]