Comparing fine needle biopsy techniques in solid pancreatic lesions: A prospective randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsies (EUS-FNB) are the best technique for sampling solid pancreatic lesions. However, the most appropriate biopsy technique has not been standardized using Fine Needle Biopsy (FNB) needles. The aim of this work was to identify the best biopsy technique to achieve the best tissue integrity and cause the least blood contamination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients ≥18 years of age with solid pancreatic lesions who underwent EUS-FNB at our institution from January 2020 to May 2021 were consecutively selected. Three passes were performed with each of the threee techniques to obtain tissue: suction with 10 ml of vacuum, capillary, and wet. An independent pathologist evaluated the received tissue integrity and the degree of blood contamination of each sample according to scales. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were recruited for our study. A superior tissue integrity was observed using the wet-suction technique in lesions located in the body and/or tail of the pancreas, and an average score of 4.40 (p = 0.027) was assigned for this technique. Regarding the contamination of the sample in the whole cohort, the simple-suction technique shown a higher contamination, 1.55 (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference among the techniques when evaluating tissue integrity or contamination in lesions larger or smaller than 3 cm. CONCLUSION: When performing EUS-FNB for solid pancreatic lesions located in the head/uncinated process, the three methods provided similar diagnostic yields. The wet-suction technique had a higher score in tissue integrity when lesions were located in the body and/or tail of the pancreas.

Decrease in the Prevalence of Pancreatitis Associated with Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Experience at a Tertiary Referral Center.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia is a rare but well recognized cause of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Hypercalcemia-related pancreatitis is mainly caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. The prevalence of pancreatitis in hyperparathyroidism varies worldwide and additional disease-modifying factors may play a role in its development. In 1988 the prevalence of pancreatitis secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), a referral center in Mexico City, was 12.1% (95% CI: 6.7-21). OBJECTIVE: To describe the current prevalence of pancreatitis secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism at the INCMNSZ. METHODS: We reviewed 385 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism seen at the hospital between 1987 and 2012. RESULTS: 26 cases with acute or chronic pancreatitis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism were documented, with a prevalence of 6.7% (95% CI: 4.6-9.7), which was lower than the 12.1% previously reported. In the present study, 20% had a history of alcohol consumption, 10% of gallstones, and 20% of ureteral calculi, compared with the previously reported 32.0, 34.6, and 40.0%, respectively. The average calcium levels were 13.1 and 13.8 mg/dl in the previous and current series, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found a decrease in the prevalence of pancreatitis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism from 12.1% (95% CI: 6.7-21) to 6.7% (95% CI: 4.6-9.7).

Serous Cystadenomas Follow a Benign and Asymptomatic Course and Do Not Present a Significant Size Change During Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Serous cystadenoma is a benign pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Conservative management is favored. We studied the clinical characteristics and course of serous cystadenoma in patients undergoing surgery or conservative management only at an academic referral center. METHODS: Patients presenting with serous cystadenoma in the years 2000-2013 were selected. Hospital records were evaluated for patient and serous cystadenoma characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with serous cystadenoma were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 years and 82% were women. Diagnosis was incidental in 59%, and 18% presented with unspecific abdominal pain, 14% unexplained weight loss, 4.5% gastrointestinal obstructive symptoms, and 4.5% cholangitis. Location was pancreas body 36%, head 32%, tail 23%, and uncinate 9%. Mean serous cystadenoma diameter at diagnosis was 37 ± 23 mm. After diagnosis five patients underwent surgery. Initial size was similar between surgical and follow-up groups (p = 0.9). Four cases were lost to follow-up; 13 continued conservative management with a mean follow-up time of 54 ± 27 months. The initial and last serous cystadenoma size in the follow-up group remained similar (p = 0.9). Six cases presented significant tumor growth during follow-up (p > 0.05). All patients remained asymptomatic throughout follow-up. No malignancy or serous cystadenoma-related death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Size change of serous cystadenoma was minimal and patients remained asymptomatic during follow-up. Surgery should be limited to symptomatic and selected cases.