The Value of Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in the Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Mass

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a technique used to distinguish benign and malignant pancreatic mass histologically. The aim of this study was to determine the value and safety of EUS-FNA for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic solid mass. Methods: The records of forty patients (M：F=24：16, median age: 56 yr) who underwent EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of pancreatic solid masses between October 2003 and July 2004 were analyzed. Histological findings obtained by EUS-FNA were compared with the final diagnosis. The sensitivity, specificity, overall diagnostic accuracy, and the rate of complication of EUS-FNA were analyzed. Results: The sites of the lesions were as follows: pancreatic head, n=20 (50%); body, n=10 (25%); tail, n=7 (18%); multifocal, n=3 (8%). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and negative predictive values were 71%, 78%, 73%, and 64%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 90% in body lesions, however 65% in head lesions. Transient abdominal pain occurred in one patient (3%) after the procedure; however, there was no case of severe complication. Conclusions: EUS-FNA is shown to be an effective and safe procedure for establishing a tissue diagnosis in patients with solid pancreatic masses.