Pancreatic Cystic Lesions and Endoscopic Ultrasound Diagnostic Equipment: A Literature Review

TL;DR

This review discusses how endoscopic ultrasound and related techniques help diagnose pancreatic cysts, which can be benign or cancerous.

Contribution

The paper highlights the full diagnostic potential of endoscopic ultrasound for pancreatic cystic lesions.

Findings

Contrast-enhanced EUS and elastography help distinguish between benign and malignant pancreatic cysts.

Techniques like FNA and confocal laser endomicroscopy improve diagnostic accuracy for difficult cases.

Artificial intelligence shows promise as a future tool in EUS for pancreatic cyst diagnosis.

Abstract

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) include clinically challenging conditions that range from benign to malignant prognoses. Their prevalence is increasing, and they are often detected as incidental findings during cross-sectional imaging. Thus, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays a pivotal role in investigating these lesions. In this review, we analyze the complete diagnostic potential of EUS. Contrast-enhanced EUS, contrast-harmonic EUS, and elastography are useful for distinguishing between benign and malignant forms, and detective flow imaging EUS and e-FLOW EUS have enhanced the diagnostic arsenal available. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is important for obtaining cystic fluid for biochemical analysis and cytological examinations. Confocal laser endomicroscopy and through-the-needle biopsy represent adjunctive techniques for refined and difficult diagnosis. Moreover, artificial intelligence could be a promising modality in the EUS world. EUS allows PCLs to be detected accurately and plays a relevant role in identifying malignant forms.

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