ABSTRACT
Endosonography is a distinct method for evaluating the structural lesions of the gastrointestinal [GI] tract, particularly the pancreatobilliary region. This procedure has made a fundamental change in the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesion through providing fine needle aspiration. This study aims at evaluating the results and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration [EUS-FNA] in patients with pancreatic solid mass. The present study is an observational, prospective case series nature, evaluated patients with pancreatic solid mass referred to Imam Khomeini educational hospital in Tehran for a duration of one year since November 2010. In order to determine the false negative cases, the patients were followed-up from 6 to 12 months. EUS-FNA was conducted on all 53 patients without any complication. The majority of patients included in the study were males [68%] and 81% of patients had a mass in the head of pancreas. The result of cytopathology revealed 36 adenocarcinomas [68%], 7 other malignancies [13%], benign lesions [6%] and 7 non-diagnostic cases [13%]. The frequency of non-diagnostic results was significantly high in masses smaller than 3 cm [6 vs. 1, P < 0.002]. Patients with non-diagnostic result were younger than those with malignant cytopathology [52 +/- 7.5 vs. 66 +/- 7.5 years, P < 0.001].. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of this procedure concerning Adenocarcinoma were 88%, 100%, 100%, 70% and 90%, respectively. EUS - FNA is an effective and safe procedure in histopathologic diagnosis of pancreatic tumors. This procedure is useful in all pancreatic mass cases including resectable and non-resectable ones