Role of Diagnostic Endoscopic Ultrasound in Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis and Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis in Children

Endoscopic Ultrasound to Identify the Actual Cause of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) presents a diagnostic challenge and refers to cases where the cause of acute pancreatitis remains uncertain despite a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has emerged as a valuable tool in the diagnostic workup of IAP. This review explores the pivotal role of EUS in detecting the actual cause of IAP and assessing its accuracy, timing, safety, and future technological improvement. In this review, we investigate the role of EUS in identifying the actual cause of IAP by examining the available literature. We aim to assess possible existing evidence regarding EUS accuracy, timing, and safety and explore potential trends of future technological improvements in EUS for diagnostic purposes. Following PRISMA guidelines, 60 pertinent studies were selected and analysed. EUS emerges as a crucial diagnostic tool, particularly when conventional imaging fails. It can offer intricate visualization of the pancreas, biliary system, and adjacent structures. Microlithiasis, biliary sludge, chronic pancreatitis, and small pancreatic tumors seem to be much more accurately identified with EUS in the setting of IAP. The optimal timing for EUS is post-resolution of the acute phase of the disease. With a low rate of complications, EUS poses minimal safety concerns. EUS-guided interventions, including fine-needle aspiration, collection drainage, and biopsies, aid in the cytological analysis. With high diagnostic accuracy, safety, and therapeutic potential, EUS is able to improve patient outcomes when managing IAP. Further refinement of EUS techniques and cost-effectiveness assessment of EUS-guided approaches need to be explored in multicentre prospective studies. This review underscores EUS as a transformative tool in unraveling IAP's enigma and advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Pediatric Patients with Pancreatobiliary Disease: Single-Center Trial

PURPOSE

The use of Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in pediatric patients is not as common as in adults. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of EUS in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary disease in childhood.

METHODS

Between December 2016 and January 2018, the findings of patients who underwent EUS were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of the 41 patients included in the study 25 were girls (61.0%), mean age was 12.2±4.2 years. EUS was performed for biliary colic in 21 (51.2%), for recurrent pancreatitis in 12 (29.2%), for cholecystitis/cholangitis in 5 (12.2%), and for acute pancreatitis in 3 (7.4%) patients. EUS had a significant clinical effect in the decision of treatment and follow-up of 6/21 biliary colic cases, in diagnosis and follow-up of 6/12 recurrent pancreatitis cases, in decision-making and monitoring of invasive procedures (ERCP/surgery) of 3/5 acute cholecystitis/cholangitis and 2/3 of acute pancreatitis cases as well as in follow-up of the other cases. The effectiveness of EUS in determining direct treatment and invasive intervention was 43.9%. None of the patients had complications related to the EUS procedure.

CONCLUSION

Although current guidelines show that EUS can be used in pediatric patients, this is limited to a few published studies. In this study, it is shown that EUS is a safe method for the diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of common pancreatobiliary pathologies in childhood.

Acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in children

Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) is defined as two distinct episodes of acute pancreatitis (AP), whereas chronic pancreatitis (CP) is caused by persistent inflammation of the pancreas. In children they are caused by genetic mutations, autoimmune pancreatitis, congenital pancreatic abnormalities, and other conditions. Acute recurrent pancreatitis is frequently a precursor to CP, and both are thought to be on the same disease continuum. In particular, genetic factors are associated with early progression of ARP to CP. The diagnosis of CP, as in AP, is based on clinical findings, biochemical tests, and imaging studies. Findings of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction are also important in the diagnosis of CP. A step-up strategy has become increasingly standard for the treatment of patients with CP. This strategy starts with endoscopic treatment, such as pancreatic sphincterotomy and stenting, and progresses to surgery should endoscopic therapy fail or prove technically impossible. Non-opioid (e.g. ibuprofen / naproxen) and opioid (e.g. oxycodone) forms of analgesia are widely used in pediatric patients with AP or CP, whereas pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may be beneficial for patients with abdominal pain, steatorrhea, and malnutrition. Despite the disparity in the age of onset, pediatric CP patients display some similarities to adults in terms of disease progress. To reduce the risk of developing pancreatic exocrine inefficiency, diabetes and pancreatic cancer in the future, clinicians need to be aware of the current diagnostic approach and treatment methods for ARP and CP and refer them to a pediatric gastroenterologist in a timely manner.

Utility of endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis

Idiopathic acute recurrent pancreatitis (IARP) is defined as at least two episodes of acute pancreatitis with the complete or near-complete resolution of symptoms and signs of pancreatitis between episodes, without an identified cause. There is a paucity of information about the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in IARP.