Diagnostic yield and reliability of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Prospective multicentre study of indications for surgery in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis following endoscopic ultrasonography (PICUS)

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) is controversial. A randomized trial found cholecystectomy to reduce the recurrence rate of IAP but did not include preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). As EUS is effective in detecting gallstone disease, cholecystectomy may be indicated only in patients with gallstone disease. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of EUS in patients with IAP, and the rate of recurrent pancreatitis in patients in whom EUS could not determine the aetiology (EUS-negative IAP).

METHODS

This prospective multicentre cohort study included patients with a first episode of IAP who underwent outpatient EUS. The primary outcome was detection of aetiology by EUS. Secondary outcomes included adverse events after EUS, recurrence of pancreatitis, and quality of life during 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

After screening 957 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis from 24 centres, 105 patients with IAP were included and underwent EUS. In 34 patients (32 per cent), EUS detected an aetiology: (micro)lithiasis and biliary sludge (23.8 per cent), chronic pancreatitis (6.7 per cent), and neoplasms (2.9 per cent); 2 of the latter patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. During 1-year follow-up, the pancreatitis recurrence rate was 17 per cent (12 of 71) among patients with EUS-negative IAP versus 6 per cent (2 of 34) among those with positive EUS. Recurrent pancreatitis was associated with poorer quality of life.

CONCLUSION

EUS detected an aetiology in a one-third of patients with a first episode of IAP, requiring mostly cholecystectomy or pancreatoduodenectomy. The role of cholecystectomy in patients with EUS-negative IAP remains uncertain and warrants further study.

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 Ultrasound in Pancreatology: Focus on Inflammatory Diseases and Interventions

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a main tool in pancreatology for both diagnosis and therapy. It allows minimally invasive differentiation of various diseases, with a minimal degree of inflammation or anatomic variations. EUS also enables interventional direct access to the pancreatic parenchyma and the retroperitoneal space, the pancreatic duct, the pancreatic masses, cysts, vascular structures for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Summary

This review aimed to summarize the new developments of EUS in the field of pancreatology, with special interest on inflammation and interventions. EUS enables way to perform pseudocyst drainage, necrosectomy, transenteral drainage and transenteric access of the main pancreatic duct, or the direct visualization or therapy of vascular structures adjacent to the pancreas.

Key Messages

EUS has a deep impact on pancreatology, and the development of new diagnostic and interventional approaches to the retroperitoneal space and the pancreas has increased in the last years exponentially, allowing minimal invasive diagnostics and therapy and avoiding surgery and percutaneous therapy.

Evaluating the role of endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides high-resolution images of both pancreatic parenchyma and duct and therefore is an integral component of evaluating and treating patients with pancreatitis and its complications. The development of enhanced EUS imaging techniques and newer EUS-specific accessories has expanded the diagnostic and therapeutic role of EUS in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the current diagnostic and therapeutic role of EUS in acute pancreatitis (AP), CP, and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

EXPERT OPINION

EUS plays a vital role in patients with AP by confirming the presence of common bile duct (CBD) stones in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis and intermediate probability of CBD stones. It plays an important role in the etiological evaluation of patients with idiopathic acute and recurrent pancreatitis. EUS is also an essential modality for diagnosing and managing pancreatico-biliary as well as gastroduodenal complications associated with CP. EUS-guided FNB using newer generation core biopsy needles has made possible accurate diagnosis of AIP by providing tissue samples with preserved architecture.

Exploring the Optimal Timing of Endoscopic Ultrasound Performance Post-Acute Idiopathic Pancreatitis

Background: Patients with acute idiopathic pancreatitis (AIP) should undergo further imaging tests such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for further investigation. The time interval between an episode of AIP and EUS performance is still controversial. Aims: We aimed to explore the optimal timing for performing EUS and to reveal parameters that might predict longer intervals needed for performing EUS. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective study at Galilee Medical Center from January 2015 to January 2020, at which point we included all patients who underwent EUS for further investigation of AIP. Results: Overall, we included 50 patients. The average age of all patients was 54.2 ± 17.6 years (range 22–69 years), and more than half of the study cohort were males (58%). Classifying patients as inflamed vs. normal pancreatic tissue on EUS, we found that among patients with normal pancreatic tissue, EUS was performed 44.7 ± 28.3 days from discharge, while for patients with inflamed pancreatic tissue, it was 48.1 ± 22.3 days (p = 0.37) after discharge. Notably, the CT severity index was significantly associated with inflamed pancreatic tissue on EUS, as it was 2.4 ± 0.74 vs. 1.5 ± 1.3 in the normal pancreatic tissue group (p = 0.03). There were no differences in the Bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) scores, and there were no differences in the average American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status (ASA) scores between the two groups. Notably, 26.3% of patients had inflamed pancreatic tissue when performing EUS at 4 weeks, as compared to 16% who had inflamed pancreatic tissue at EUS performed after 6 weeks. Conclusion: Radiological severity score was the only important factor in determining the time interval of performing EUS after an episode of AIP. Intervals greater than six weeks seem to be needed among patients with higher Balthazar scores.

Endoscopic ultrasound diagnostic gain over computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in defining etiology of idiopathic acute pancreatitis. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2022;14:376-386. [DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v14.i6.376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

BACKGROUND

About 10%-30% of acute pancreatitis remain idiopathic (IAP) even after clinical and imaging tests, including abdominal ultrasound (US), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This is a relevant issue, as up to 20% of patients with IAP have recurrent episodes and 26% of them develop chronic pancreatitis. Few data are available on the role of EUS in clarifying the etiology of IAP after failure of one or more cross-sectional techniques.

AIM

To evaluate the diagnostic gain after failure of one or more previous cross-sectional exams.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data about consecutive patients with AP and at least one negative test between US, CECT and MRCP, who underwent linear EUS between January 2017 and December 2020. We investigated the EUS diagnostic yield and the EUS diagnostic gain over different combinations of these cross-sectional imaging techniques for the etiologic diagnosis of AP. Types and frequency of EUS diagnosis were also analyzed, and EUS diagnosis was compared with the clinical parameters. After EUS, patients were followed-up for a median of 31.5 mo to detect cases of pancreatitis recurrence.

RESULTS

We enrolled 81 patients (63% males, mean age 61 ± 18, 23% with previous cholecystectomy, 17% with recurrent pancreatitis). Overall EUS diagnostic yield for AP etiological diagnosis was 79% (20% lithiasis, 31% acute on chronic pancreatitis, 14% pancreatic solid or cystic lesions, 5% pancreas divisum, 5% autoimmune pancreatitis, 5% ductal abnormalities), while 21% remained idiopathic. US, CECT and MRCP, taken alone or in combination, led to AP etiological diagnosis in 16 (20%) patients; among the remaining 65 patients, 49 (75%) obtained a diagnosis at EUS, with an overall EUS diagnostic gain of 61%. Sixty-eight patients had negative US; among them, EUS allowed etiological diagnosis in 59 (87%). Sixty-three patients had a negative CECT; among them, 47 (74%) obtained diagnosis with EUS. Twenty-four had a negative MRCP; among them, 20 (83%) had EUS diagnosis. Twenty-one had negative CT + MRCP, of which 17 (81%) had EUS diagnosis, with a EUS diagnostic gain of 63%. Patients with biliary etiology and without previous cholecystectomy had higher median values of alanine aminotransferase (154 vs 25, P = 0.010), aspartate aminotransferase (95 vs 29, P = 0.018), direct bilirubin (1.2 vs 0.6, P = 0.015), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (180 vs 48, P = 0.006) and alkaline phosphatase (150 vs 72, P = 0.015) Chronic pancreatitis diagnosis was more frequent in patients with recurrent pancreatitis at baseline (82% vs 21%, P < 0.001). During the follow-up, AP recurred in 3 patients, one of which remained idiopathic.

CONCLUSION

EUS is a good test to define AP etiology. It showed a 63% diagnostic gain over CECT + MRCP. In suitable patients, EUS should always be performed in cases of IAP. Further prospective studies are needed.

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis-A myth or reality? Role of endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in its diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Around 10% to 30% patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) do not have a cause after the routine investigations, and are considered as having idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP). Establishing the etiology in such patients will prevent recurrences and evolution to chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) characteristically are used to diagnose IAP when routine methods fail, but their exact role is not determined.

METHODS

This prospective study was undertaken in a tertiary care hospital, in which patients admitted initially with diagnosis of IAP were evaluated. These patients underwent MRCP and EUS at least 4 weeks after an attack of AP. The results of EUS and MRCP were compared and analyzed with various clinical variables using suitable statistical tests.

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients with IAP were included. EUS and/or MRCP was able to establish at least one etiology in 17 patients (54.8%). The diagnoses revealed were gallbladder (GB) microlithiasis, GB sludge, choledocholithiasis, pancreatobiliary ductal anomalies, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Comparing the diagnostic accuracy of both the modalities, EUS (14/31) was able to diagnose more cases than MRCP (8/31). The diagnostic capability of EUS was lower in patients who had a cholecystectomy (12.5% vs. 56.5%; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS and MRCP are useful modalities in the etiological diagnosis of IAP and should be used in conjunction. EUS is better for establishing a possible biliary etiology and MRCP for an anatomical alteration in pancreatobiliary ducts.

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.

Endoscopic ultrasonography can detect a cause in the majority of patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) has a 25 % pancreatitis recurrence rate. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) may diagnose treatable causes of IAP and hence prevent recurrence. The goal of this systematic review with meta-analysis is to determine the diagnostic yield of EUS and its impact on recurrence.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for English studies on EUS in adults with IAP. The primary outcome was diagnostic yield. Secondary outcomes included recurrence. Methodological quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 score. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled diagnostic yield and risk ratio with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model with inverse variance method.

RESULTS

22 studies were included, with 1490 IAP patients who underwent EUS. Overall diagnostic yield was 59 % (874 /1490; 95 %CI 52 % - 66 %). The most common etiologies were biliary (429 /1490; 30 %, 95 %CI 21 % - 41 %) and chronic pancreatitis (271 /1490; 12 %, 95 %CI 8 % - 19 %). In 2 % of patients, neoplasms were detected (45 /1490; 95 %CI 1 % - 4 %). There was no difference in yield between patients with or without recurrent IAP before EUS (risk ratio 0.89, 95 %CI 0.71 - 1.11).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS is able to identify a potential etiology in the majority of patients with IAP, detecting mostly biliary origin or chronic pancreatitis, but also neoplasms in 2 % of patients. EUS may be associated with a reduction of recurrence rate. Future studies should include complete diagnostic work-up and preferably include patients with a first episode of IAP only.

EUS is superior to secretin-enhanced cholangio-MRI to establish the etiology of idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Background and study aims  The etiology of idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) should always be defined. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) versus secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) in patients with IAP. Patients and Methods  Patients admitted to a single tertiary care University hospital with IAP were invited to participate in the study. Enrolled patients underwent EUS and S-MRCP in a single-blinded comparative study. EUS and S-MRCP were performed no sooner than 4 weeks after discharge. The diagnostic yield of EUS and S-MRCP and demographic variables were included in the analysis. Additional follow-up, results of subsequent serology, radiographic exams, and relevant histological analysis were considered in determination of the final diagnosis. Results  A total of 34 patients were enrolled; EUS was normal in six, cholelithiasis was defined in 15, choledocholithiasis in two, pancreas divisum in three, branch-type intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) in three, and chronic pancreatitis in five. S-MRCP identified choledocholithiasis in one, divisum in four, branch-type IPMT in three, chronic pancreatitis in two; 24 subjects diagnosed as normal by S-MRCP. Diagnostic correlation between EUS and S-MRCP was slight (kappa = 0.236, 95 % confidence interval: 0.055-0.416). EUS provided a statistically significantly higher diagnostic yield than S-MRCP: 79.4 % (CI95 %: 65 %-94 %) vs 29.4 % (CI95 %: 13 %-46 %) (P = 0.0002). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EUS and S-MRCP were 90 %, 80 %, 96 %, 57 % and 33 %, 100 %, 100 % and 16 %, respectively. Conclusion  The diagnostic yield of EUS is higher than S-MRCP in patients with IAP.

Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnostic work-up of idiopathic acute pancreatitis (PICUS): study protocol for a nationwide prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) remains a dilemma for physicians as it is uncertain whether patients with IAP may actually have an occult aetiology. It is unclear to what extent additional diagnostic modalities such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) are warranted after a first episode of IAP in order to uncover this aetiology. Failure to timely determine treatable aetiologies delays appropriate treatment and might subsequently cause recurrence of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of the Pancreatitis of Idiopathic origin: Clinical added value of endoscopic UltraSonography (PICUS) Study is to determine the value of routine EUS in determining the aetiology of pancreatitis in patients with a first episode of IAP.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PICUS is designed as a multicentre prospective cohort study of 106 patients with a first episode of IAP after complete standard diagnostic work-up, in whom a diagnostic EUS will be performed. Standard diagnostic work-up will include a complete personal and family history, laboratory tests including serum alanine aminotransferase, calcium and triglyceride levels and imaging by transabdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography after clinical recovery from the acute pancreatitis episode. The primary outcome measure is detection of aetiology by EUS. Secondary outcome measures include pancreatitis recurrence rate, severity of recurrent pancreatitis, readmission, additional interventions, complications, length of hospital stay, quality of life, mortality and costs, during a follow-up period of 12 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

PICUS is conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and Guideline for Good Clinical Practice. Five medical ethics review committees assessed PICUS (Medical Ethics Review Committee of Academic Medical Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Radboud University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center and Maastricht University Medical Center). The results will be submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Netherlands Trial Registry (NL7066). Prospectively registered.

Endoscopic ultrasound as a diagnostic and predictive tool in idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful in the diagnostic workup of idiopathic acute pancreatitis but its role as a predictor of recurrence has not been thoroughly assessed. Our aim was to study the performance of EUS in idiopathic acute pancreatitis, its impact on the natural history of the disease, and the factors related to recurrence.

Methods

Patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis referred to our endoscopy unit were enrolled and followed, with assessment of the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), cholecystectomy, and the incidence of recurrence. EUS findings and recurrence rates were compared between patients with a first episode or recurrent attacks and in patients with previous cholecystectomy versus those with gallbladder in situ.

Results

One hundred six patients were included (mean follow up: 53.59±27.79 months). Biliary disease related to stones was the most common finding on EUS (49.1%), and patients referred for recurrent attacks showed the highest recurrence rate during follow up (57.1%). ERCP or cholecystectomy reduced recurrences to 14.3% in patients with biliary disease. Age under 65 (odds ratio [OR] 3.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-10.44; P=0.02), previous cholecystectomy (OR 3.19, 95%CI 1.11-9.17; P=0.03), and no lithiasis on EUS (OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.04-7.87; P=0.04) were independent risks factors for recurrence.

Conclusions

EUS-directed ERCP/cholecystectomy was associated with lower relapse rates in idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Along with age and gallbladder status, it provides predictive information about recurrence likelihood.

Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Missed on Cross-Sectional Imaging in Patients Presenting with Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Review

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Early detection of pancreatic cancer may help improve patient survival. It has been hypothesized that acute idiopathic or chronic pancreatitis is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer; however, these conditions may also represent an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer, rather than just being risk factors. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a sensitive diagnostic modality for the detection of small, early-stage pancreatic tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS for pancreatic cancer in patients with acute idiopathic or chronic pancreatitis when cross-sectional imaging (CT and/or MRI) was negative for a mass lesion in the pancreas.

METHODS

This study was an IRB-approved retrospective chart review conducted for the period of August 2005 to September 2018. Any patient presenting with acute idiopathic or chronic pancreatitis with a CT and/or MRI imaging negative for a pancreatic mass lesion that underwent an EUS during the study period was selected for inclusion. A retrospective review was performed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had pancreatic cancer diagnosed from an EUS-FNA (fine needle aspiration) sample. Data were collected on patient demographics and clinical characteristics, inclusive of specific post-diagnosis treatment course. An "event rate" was calculated and is defined as the number of positive pancreatic cancer diagnoses on EUS-FNA from all patients presenting with acute idiopathic or chronic pancreatitis who underwent an EUS examination following a CT and/or MRI study negative for pancreatic mass lesion.

RESULTS

A total of 565 patients met inclusion criteria, with 30 cases of confirmed pancreatic cancer diagnosed with EUS-FNA from this group. The event rate for EUS diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was 5.3%. The majority of patients (52.0%) diagnosed with cancer were stages I-II.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ultrasound should be a routine part of the diagnostic algorithm when evaluating a patient with acute idiopathic or chronic pancreatitis of unclear etiology, particularly when cross-sectional imaging is negative for a mass lesion and clinical suspicion is high for neoplasia. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the role of EUS in this setting.

Performance Characteristics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Pancreas Divisum

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of standard nonsecretin-enhanced preprocedural magnetic resonance imaging/cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) in patients with and without pancreas divisum.

METHODS

Patients undergoing MRI/MRCP followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed. The diagnostic accuracy of the MRI/MRCP was evaluated against the pancreatography. A subsequent independent blinded re-review performed by an expert abdominal radiologist was also evaluated. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of clinicopathologic factors on the diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

A total of 189 patients were included in analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRI/MRCP for pancreas divisum were 63%, 97%, 94%, and 82% initially and 81%, 91%, 91%, and 82% on the expert review. Motion artifact, the presence of pancreatic tumor, and pancreatic necrosis were not found to significantly impact the accuracy. A normal diameter pancreatic duct (P = 0.04) and complete divisum anatomy were correlated with improved accuracy (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although expert review, normal duct diameter, and complete divisum are associated with increased sensitivity, pancreas divisum may be uncharacterized by preprocedural MRI in 19% to 37% of patients before the index endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Endoscopic Ultrasound for Routine Assessment in Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common general acute surgical presentations. Current recommendations are that idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) should account for no more than 20% of AP cases. Some studies suggest gallbladder microlithiasis is the aetiology in up to 75% of IAP patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been reported to be effective in the detection of microlithiasis and choledocholithiasis as well as pancreatic parenchymal, ductal and ampullary disorders. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of EUS in establishing aetiology in IAP patients and to assess if there is a role for EUS in the selection criteria for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat a potential biliary cause in IAP patients.

METHODS

A systematic review following PRISMA guideline was performed to gather data on patients with IAP undergoing EUS for further investigation. Three databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE) were searched to 28 July 2018.

RESULTS

Our systematic review included 28 studies, comprising 1850 patients with an initial diagnosis of IAP prior to having EUS. Diagnosis of a potential aetiology or associated pancreatic pathology was established in 1095 (62%, p < 0.001) of cases. A biliary aetiology (microlithiasis or choledocholithiasis) was found in 37%. Chronic pancreatitis and associated pancreatic findings (dilated pancreatic duct, pancreatic duct stricture or stone) were found in 21%. Pancreatic neoplasms were found in 6%. Of the patients who had identifiable biliary pathology on EUS that proceeded to cholecystectomy, 2% had a recurrence of AP during a mean follow-up period of 20.5 months.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a likely role for the routine use of EUS in the assessment of patients with IAP. The routine use of EUS may decrease the proportion of cases with a diagnosis of IAP. EUS may provide better selection criteria for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with an initial diagnosis of IAP.

Comparison of EUS with MRCP in idiopathic acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) poses a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists, because confirmation of the disease etiology has important implications for the selection of the best possible treatment and the prevention of possible recurrence or the development of chronic pancreatitis (CP). ERCP, EUS, and MRCP typically are used to diagnose IAP when conventional radiologic methods fail. However, their exact role in the diagnosis of IAP has not yet been determined.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Library (including CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from inception to April 2017. Studies involving the use of EUS and/or MRCP for the etiologic diagnosis of IAP were included. A meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager Version 5.2 for comparative studies and R software 3.3.3 to determine diagnostic yield of the studies.

RESULTS

Among the 34 studies that met the inclusion criteria (n = 2338), 7 studies used a combination of EUS and MRCP and totaled 249 patients. The results comparing EUS with MRCP showed a diagnostic yield of 153 of the 239 patients (64%) in the EUS group, which was higher than the yield of 82 of 238 patients (34%) in the MRCP group (P < .001) in the 7 studies, and the diagnostic yield was 60% in the EUS group, 24% in the MRCP group, and 43% in the MRCP after secretin stimulation (S-MRCP) group. In our subgroup analysis of CP and biliary disease, EUS was superior to MRCP (P < .001), but when comparing the efficacy of the modalities in the diagnosis of pancreatic divisum, S-MRCP was obviously superior to MRCP and EUS (12% vs 2% vs 2%).

CONCLUSION

EUS and MRCP should both be used in the diagnostic work-up of IAP as complementary techniques. EUS had a higher diagnostic accuracy than MRCP (64% vs 34%) in the etiologic diagnosis of IAP and should be preferred for establishing a possible biliary disease and CP diagnosis, whereas S-MRCP was superior to EUS and MRCP in diagnosing a possible anatomic alteration in the biliopancreatic duct system, such as pancreatic divisum.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic pancreatitis

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is defined based on the occurrence of two or more episodes of acute pancreatitis. The initial evaluation fails to detect the cause of RAP in 10%-30% of patients, whose condition is classified as idiopathic RAP (IRAP). Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) is a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists. In view of associated morbidity and mortality, it is important to determine the aetiology of pancreatitis to provide early treatment and prevent recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an investigation of choice for imaging of pancreas and biliary tract. In view of high diagnostic accuracy and safety of EUS, a EUS based management strategy appears to be a reasonable approach for evaluation of patients with a single/recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. The most common diagnoses by EUS in IAP is biliary tract disease. The present review aims to discuss the role of EUS in the clinical management and diagnosis of patients with IAP. It elaborates the diagnostic approach to IAP in relation to EUS and other different modalities. Controversial issues in IAP like when to perform EUS, whether to perform after first episode or recurrent episodes, comparison among different investigations and the latest evidence significance are detailed.

The Accuracies of Diagnosing Pancreas Divisum by Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography and Endoscopic Ultrasound: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), MRCP after secretin stimulation (S-MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) are all selected to diagnose pancreas divisum. However, the accuracies of three diagnosis remain unclear. The aim is to address the diagnostic accuracies of MRCP, S-MRCP and EUS on pancreas divisum. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to January, 2015. Of the 536 citations retrieved, 16 studies were included. For MRCP diagnosis on pancreas divisum, the area under the hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic (HSROC) curve was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87 to 0.92), and for S-MRCP and EUS, 0.99 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.99) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.96 to 0.98). Sensitivity and specificity for MRCP were 0.59 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.71) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.00); for S-MRCP, 0.83 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.92) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.00); for EUS, 0.85 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.94) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.99). Comprehensive comparison of three diagnostic techniques to pancreas divisum, S-MRCP was more reliable than MRCP and EUS on the effect of the diagnostic test.

Prospective Endoscopic Ultrasound-Based Approach to the Evaluation of Idiopathic Pancreatitis: Causes, Response to Therapy, and Long-term Outcome

OBJECTIVES

Although idiopathic pancreatitis is common, the natural history is not well studied, and the best diagnostic approach to both single and multiple attacks remains undefined.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated patients with idiopathic pancreatitis over a 10-year period, and clinical information for each episode was reviewed. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed in all patients. Patients with microlithiasis or bile duct stones were referred for cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), respectively. For those with a single attack, if EUS was normal or chronic pancreatitis or pancreas divisum was diagnosed, the patient was followed up for recurrence. For those with multiple attacks and a negative EUS, ERCP and sphincter of Oddi manometry with endoscopic therapy as appropriate were recommended. All patients were followed up in the long term to evaluate for recurrent pancreatitis, the primary study end point.

RESULTS

Over the study period, 201 patients were identified (80 single attack, 121 multiple attacks; mean age 53 years, range 17-95 years, s.d. 16.3 years; and 53% female). After EUS, 54% of patients with a single attack were categorized as idiopathic, and for multiple attacks sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) was the most common diagnosis (41%). Long-term follow-up (median 37 months; interquartile range 19-70 months) documented recurrence of pancreatitis in 15 (24%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 15-38%) patients with a single attack and in 48 (49%; 95% CI, 38-62%) patients with multiple attacks. Despite endoscopic therapy, patients with pancreas divisum and SOD had relapse rates of 50% (95% CI, 35 to 68%) and 55% (95% CI, 31 to 82%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Following a single idiopathic attack of pancreatitis and a negative EUS examination, relapse was infrequent. Despite endoscopic therapy, patients with multiple attacks, especially those attributed to pancreas divisum and SOD, had high rates of recurrence. EUS may be a useful, minimally invasive tool for the diagnostic evaluation of idiopathic pancreatitis. The study was listed in Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00609726.

The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Management of Pancreatic Diseases

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is an effective platform for a variety of therapies in the management of benign and malignant disease of the pancreas. Over the last 50 years, endotherapy has evolved into the first-line therapy in the majority of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pancreas. As this field advances, it is important that gastroenterologists maintain an adequate knowledge of procedure indication, maintain sufficient procedure volume to handle complex pancreatic endotherapy, and understand alternate approaches to pancreatic diseases including medical management, therapy guided by endoscopic ultrasonography, and surgical options.

Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with first episode of idiopathic acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acute pancreatitis (AP) evades an etiological diagnosis in up to 10 % to 30 % of patients. This group, ie. idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) is prone to a high recurrence (up to 70 %). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is promising, but there is limited data on elucidating the cause of IAP, from India. This observational study was designed to study the role of EUS after the first episode of IAP.

METHODS

All patients diagnosed to have first episode of IAP were included in the study and taken up for EUS examination after 6 weeks. Patients with conditions known to predispose or precipitate AP, like alcohol binge, drugs, metabolic or autoimmune conditions, or even a positive family history, were excluded from the study.

RESULT

A total of 51 patients were included. EUS positivity was found in 29 (56.9 %) patients. It included common bile duct (CBD) calculus in 5 (9.8 %), CBD sludge in 4 (7.8 %), gallbladder calculus in 2 (3.9 %), gallbladder sludge in 2 (3.9 %), and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in 16 (31.4 %) patients. Fourteen patients had a normal study and eight patients had indeterminate CP.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS is safe and has a reasonable diagnostic yield in patients with first episode of IAP. CP and biliary lithiasis are the most frequent positive findings on EUS. EUS should be included in the diagnostic protocol after the first episode of IAP, rather than waiting for recurrent episodes.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal disorders

Endoscopic ultrasound is one of those diagnostic methods in gastrointestinal endoscopy which has developed rapidly in the last decade and has became exceedingly available to visualize the walls of the internal organs in details corresponding to histological layers, or analyze the adjacent structures. Fine needles and other endoscopic accessories can be introduced into the neighbouring tissues under the guidance of endoscopic ultrasound, and diagnostic and minimally invasive therapeutic interventions can be performed. The endoscopic ultrasound became more widely available in Hungary in the recent years. This review focuses on the indications, benefits and complications of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound. We dedicate this article for gastroenterologists, surgeons, internists, pulmonologists, specialists in oncology and radiology. This recommendation was based on the consensus of the Board members of the Endoscopic Ultrasound Section of the Hungarian Gastroenterological Society. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(14), 526–540.

Endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) to diagnose idiopathic acute pancreatitis has been demonstrated but that of magnetic-resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) remains unclear.

AIMS

The aim of our study was to prospectively compare the results of EUS and MRCP to diagnose idiopathic acute pancreatitis when performed later after an acute attack.

METHODS

All patients admitted to our center for acute pancreatitis over a 2-year period received first-line investigations that included medical history, standard biological measurements, abdominal ultrasound, and computerized tomography. If no etiology was found, second-line investigations were scheduled at 2 months (or more if there was severe pancreatitis), which included clinical examinations, biological parameters, EUS, and MRCP.

RESULTS

A total of 128 consecutive patients were included (male: 80, mean age: 55.3 years). After first-line investigations, 41 patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis underwent second-line investigations and were followed-up (38 patients had both EUS and MRCP). EUS and/or MRCP led to recognize a possible etiology of pancreatitis in 19 patients (50 %). The diagnostic yield for EUS was higher than for MRCP (29 vs. 10.5 %). EUS more accurately detected biliary stones whereas MRCP identified pancreatic duct abnormalities, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas or chronic pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of EUS and MRCP, when performed later after idiopathic acute pancreatitis, revealed 50 % of etiologies. The association of these two procedures and the subsequent follow-up reduced the rate of idiopathic pancreatitis by ~66 %.

[Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasonography in the gastrointestinal tract]

Endoscopic ultrasonography is a relatively new technology that combines the use of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes with high-resolution ultrasound technology. It proved to be highly accurate and useful in the staging of gastrointestinal malignancies, as well as in characterizing the nature of subepithelial lesions and disorders of the pancreaticobiliary system. In this overview the variety of current evidence based diagnostic options of endoscopic ultrasonography are discussed.

Pancreas divisum

We review important new clinical observations in pancreas divisum (PD) made since 2007. PD is common and has the same prevalence in the general population and idiopathic pancreatitis (IP). Up to 53% of patients with PD and IP have underlying idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (CP), and in rigorous prospective clinical follow-up and/or natural history studies, many with idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis (IRAP) have idiopathic CP. According to retrospective studies, PD does not modify the natural course of nonalcoholic or alcoholic CP. CFTR and/or SPINK1 gene mutations associate with IP (idiopathic CP and IRAP) independently of the presence of PD. More than one third of patients with pancreatitis or presumed pancreaticobiliary pain respond to placebo. Authors of uncontrolled studies report a significant symptomatic response to surgery and endotherapy in patients with IP and PD, but the response remains unproven and is largely limited to those with IRAP and not idiopathic CP or chronic pain.

Endoscopic ultrasound for non-gastroenterologists: what you need to know

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combines the use of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes with high-resolution ultrasound technology. It is increasingly used for the evaluation, staging, and diagnosis of many luminal and extraluminal gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as well as non-GI tract ailments, including the staging of lung cancer. In the past decade, EUS has become available on a wide scale, with an increasing number of indications. The technology has been shown to be comparable with and often more sensitive than computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging in staging many malignancies. The use of fine-needle aspiration and ultrasound-guided injection also allows for accurate tissue diagnosis and therapy of GI ailments. Despite increasing availability and indications for EUS over the past decade, general internists may not be aware of EUS technology, when to order an EUS, and how to integrate the results of an EUS into their management decisions. This article will review the general indications for EUS referral, limitations, and role of EUS in the practice of general medicine.

Role of pancreatic endoscopic ultrasonography in 2010

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was introduced 25 years ago aiming at better visualization of the pancreas compared to transabdominal ultrasonography. This update discusses the current evidence in 2010 concerning the role of EUS in the clinical management of patients with pancreatic disease. Major indications of EUS are: (1) Detection of common bile duct stones (e.g. in acute pancreatitis); (2) Detection of small exo- and endocrine pancreatic tumours; and (3) Performance of fine needle aspiration in pancreatic masses depending on therapeutic consequences. EUS seems to be less useful in cases of chronic pancreatitis and cystic pancreatic lesions. Moreover the constant improvement of computed tomography has limited the role of EUS in pancreatic cancer staging. On the other hand, new therapeutic options are available due to EUS, such as pancreatic cyst drainage and celiac plexus neurolysis, offering a new field in which new techniques may arise. So the main goal of this review is to determine the exact role of EUS in a number of pancreatic and biliary diseases.

Endoscopic ultrasonography and idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Idiopathic acute pancreatitis is a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists. The possibility of finding a cause for pancreatitis usually relies on how far the diagnostic study is taken. Endoscopic explorations such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasonography can help to determine the cause of pancreatitis. Furthermore, microscopic bile examination and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can also be helpful in the work up of these patients. In this article an approximation to the diagnostic approach to patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis is made, taking into account the reported evidence with which to choose between the different available explorations.