Diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is increasingly being used in the staging algorithm for pancreatic carcinoma. This allows for a tissue diagnosis, which was previously difficult to obtain. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of EUS-FNA in establishing the diagnosis of solid pancreatic mass lesions in an Australian population. Methods: A retrospective review of the EUS databases of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and Western Hospital, Melbourne from November 2002 to May 2006 was undertaken. The focus was on patients with a solid pancreatic mass who underwent EUS-FNA. Surgical pathology or long-term follow up was used to identify false-positi..