Endoscopic Ultrasound with Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) Is Valuable in the Diagnosis of Side-Branch Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasia (SB-IPMN) of the Pancreas

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic SB-IPMN often are discovered incidentally by imaging and mistaken for pseudocysts or other cystic neoplasia. Recent experience suggests that SB-IPMN may cause abdominal pain or pancreatitis and can lead to adenocarcinoma. Thus accurate diagnosis of this condition is important. Currently, no large series exists on the use of EUS-FNA in diagnosing SB-IPMN. Aims: Our goal was to assess the usefulness of EUS-FNA in the evaluation of SB-IPMN in a large university practice. Methods: Using an EUS database, patients referred for evaluation of pancreatic cystic lesions between October 2002 and October 2006 were identified.