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Review
. 2024 Aug;23(3):279-293.
doi: 10.1007/s10689-024-00380-5. Epub 2024 Apr 4.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the detection of pancreatic lesions in high-risk individuals

Kasper A Overbeek  1 , Djuna L Cahen  2 , Marco J Bruno  2
Affiliations
Review

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the detection of pancreatic lesions in high-risk individuals

Kasper A Overbeek et al. Fam Cancer. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Individuals at high risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are eligible for surveillance within research programs. These programs employ periodic imaging in the form of magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound for the detection of early cancer or high-grade precursor lesions. This narrative review discusses the role of endoscopic ultrasound within these surveillance programs. It details its overall strengths and limitations, yield, burden on patients, and how it compares to magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, recommendations are given when and how to incorporate endoscopic ultrasound in the surveillance of high-risk individuals.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasonography; Endoscopic ultrasound; High-risk individuals; Pancreatic cancer; Screening; Surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Endoscopic ultrasound images of a branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (A) detected in the pancreatic tail of a 50-year old CDKN2A pathogenic variant carrier. It had grown from 15 to 23 mm in one year and developed a solid component that seemed hypovascular after contrast-enhancement (B). The lesion was visible on MRI/MRCP but not the solid component. After resection, histology revealed a T1cN1M0 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm-associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Endoscopic ultrasound images of a 15 mm solid lesion (A) detected in the pancreatic head of a 54-year old patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. The lesion had low uptake of contrast (not shown). On MRI/MRCP the lesion was dubiously present and could not be characterized. On CT it was not visible. At revaluation with endoscopic ultrasound two months later, the lesion was unchanged and fine-needle aspiration (B) was suggestive of malignancy. The lesion was resected and staged as a T1aN0M0 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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