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Accumulated evidence has revealed that endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has had a great impact on the clinical evaluation of pancreatic cancers. EUS can provide high-resolution images of the pancreas with a quality regarded as far surpassing that achieved on transabdominal ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). EUS is particularly useful for the detection of small pancreatic lesions, while EUS and its related techniques such as contrast-enhanced EUS (CE-EUS), EUS elastography, and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are also useful in the differential diagnosis of solid or cystic pancreatic lesions and the staging (T-staging, N-staging, and M-staging) of pancreatic cancers. In the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions, CE-EUS and EUS elastography play a complementary role to conventional EUS. When sampling is performed using EUS-FNA, CE-EUS and EUS elastography provide information on the target lesions. Thus, conventional EUS, CE-EUS, EUS elastography, and EUS-FNA are essential in the clinical investigation of pancreatic cancer.

Detective flow imaging endoscopic ultrasonography (DFI-EUS) is an innovative imaging modality that was developed to detect fine vessels and low-velocity blood flow without contrast agents. We evaluate its utility for the differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). We enrolled patients who underwent DFI-EUS, e-FLOW EUS, and contrast-enhanced EUS for gallbladder lesions or IPMNs. The detection of vessels using DFI-EUS and e-FLOW EUS was compared with that via contrast-enhanced EUS and pathological findings. The vessel pattern was also categorized as regular or irregular. Of the 33 lesions included, there were final diagnoses of 13 IPMNs and 20 gallbladder lesions. DFI-EUS was significantly superior to e-FLOW EUS for discriminating between mural nodules and mucous clots and between solid gallbladder lesions and sludge using the presence or absence of vessel detection in lesions (p = 0.005). An irregular vessel pattern with DFI-EUS was a significant predictor of malignant gallbladder lesions (p = 0.002). DFI-EUS is more sensitive than e-FLOW-EUS for vessel detection and the differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions and IPMNs. Vessel evaluation using DFI-EUS may be a useful and simple method for differentiating between mural nodules and mucous clots in IPMN, between solid gallbladder lesions and sludge, and between malignant and benign gallbladder lesions.

In pancreatic hypervascular masses, it is often difficult to differentiate pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PanNEN) and intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) before surgery because of their similar features, such as a round shape and early enhancement. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for differentiating between them. This retrospective pilot study enrolled 136 patients with pathologically confirmed non-functional PanNEN or IPAS who underwent EUS at our institution. The clinical features, conventional EUS findings, EUS elastography (EUS-EG) findings, and contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS) findings were retrospectively evaluated. In conventional EUS, calcification had significant differences between PanNEN and IPAS ( P  = 0.006). On EUS-EG findings (stiff/soft), patients with PanNEN had softer lesions (6 (25%)/18 (75%)) and those with IPAS had stiffer lesions (3 (100%)/0 (0%)) ( P  = 0.029). CH-EUS revealed that 4/4 (100%) patients with IPAS had hyperechoic or isoechoic vascular patterns up to 300 s, while only 1/15 (7%) patient with PanNEN had such patterns at 300 s ( P  = 0.001), resulting in significant washout after 180 s in PanNEN group. This study is the first report on EUS to differentiate between PanNEN and IPAS. It is useful to evaluate calcification with conventional EUS, stiffness with EUS-EG, and enhancement patterns with CH-EUS for that.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263982.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263982.].

Detective flow imaging endoscopic ultrasonography (DFI-EUS) provides a new method to image and detect fine vessels and low-velocity blood flow without using ultrasound contrast agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of DFI-EUS for pancreatobiliary lesions and lymph nodes. Between January 2019 and January 2020, 53 patients who underwent DFI-EUS, e-FLOW EUS, and contrast-enhanced EUS were enrolled. The ability of DFI-EUS and e-FLOW EUS to detect vessels was compared with that of contrast-enhanced EUS. This article describes the DFI technique along with our first experience of its use for vascular assessment of pancreatobiliary lesions. Vessels were imaged in 34 pancreatic solid lesions, eight intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), seven gall bladder lesions, and four swollen lymph nodes. DFI-EUS (91%) was significantly superior to e-FLOW EUS (53%) with respect to detection of vessels (p < 0.001) and for discrimination of mural nodules from mucous clots in IPMN and gallbladder lesions from sludge (p = 0.046). Thus, DFI-EUS has the potential to become an essential tool for diagnosis and vascular assessment of various diseases.

BackgroundEndoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has high diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic diseases. However, the effect of mass size on diagnostic accuracy has yet to be determined, especially for small pancreatic lesions. We aimed to determine the effect of pancreatic mass size on the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA.MethodsWe searched the database in Hokkaido University Hospital between May 2008 and December 2016 and identified solid pancreatic lesions examined by EUS-FNA. All lesions were stratified into five groups based on mass sizes: groups A (< 10 mm), B (10–20 mm), C (20–30 mm), D (30–40 mm) and E (≥ 40 mm). The sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy and adverse event rate were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsWe analyzed a total of 788 solid pancreatic lesions in 761 patients. The patients included 440 males (57.8%) with a mean age of 65.7 years. The sensitivities in groups A (n = 36), B (n = 223), C (n = 304), D (n = 147) and E (n = 78) were 89.3%, 95.0%, 97.4%, 98.5% and 98.7%, respectively, and they significantly increased as the mass size increased (P < 0.01, chi-squared test for trend). The diagnostic accuracies were 91.7%, 96.4%, 97.7%, 98.6% and 98.7%, respectively, and they also significantly increased as the mass size increased (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that pancreatic mass size was associated with diagnostic accuracy. The adverse event rates were not significantly different among the five groups.ConclusionsThe sensitivities and diagnostic accuracies of EUS-FNA for solid pancreatic lesions are higher for lesions ≥ 10 mm in size, and they are strongly correlated with mass size.

Cervical cancer metastasis to the pancreas is rare, and the clinical manifestations are variable and contingent upon the location of the metastasis. Consequently, certain patients may be overlooked due to the absence of overt clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, there is no universally accepted treatment protocol for such patients. The present report describes a case of a 64-year-old woman with stage IIIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009) who received definitive chemoradiation in March 2018 [intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) + weekly paclitaxel + brachytherapy]. After 6 years, pancreatic metastasis was confirmed by MRI/PET-CT and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Between January and May 2024, the patient underwent six cycles of paclitaxel/carboplatin/bevacizumab/programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor therapy followed by IMRT (45 Gy with 55 Gy boost). Post-treatment imaging revealed a partial response (lesion reduction from 45×30 mm to 32×20 mm). As of November 2024, the latest data indicated that the patient was disease-free on pembrolizumab maintenance. Furthermore, a systematic review of 14 related cases described in previous studies to analyze the characteristics of metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) is presented. In total, 14 publications were identified for systematic review. Among these patients, 7 had squamous cell carcinoma. The median age of the patients at the time of initial diagnosis was 49.8 years, and the mean interval between the identification of the primary tumor and metastasis was 46 months. Several clinical manifestations were observed depending on the site of metastasis. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration was revealed as one of the most effective methods for diagnosing mPC. In conclusion, there is currently no consensus regarding subsequent treatment plans. Pancreatic metastases originating from cervical cancer are infrequent and necessitate careful consideration along with individualized treatment approaches.

Background and Aim Fine‐needle biopsy (FNB) needles obtain more core samples and support the shift from cytologic to histologic evaluation; however, recent studies have proposed a superior diagnostic potential for liquid‐based cytology (LBC). This study compared the diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided FNB histology with a 22‐gauge Franseen needle (22G‐FNB‐H) and fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) LBC with a conventional 25‐gauge needle (25G‐FNA‐LBC). Methods We analyzed 46 patients who underwent both 22G‐FNB‐H and 25G‐FNA‐LBC in the same lesion during the same endoscopic procedure. This study evaluated the diagnostic ability of each needle, diagnostic concordance between needles, and incremental diagnostic effect of both needles compared to using each needle alone. Results The agreement rate for malignancy between both techniques was 93.5% (kappa value = 0.82). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic ability of both methods. 22G‐FNB‐H and 25G‐FNA‐LBC provided an incremental diagnostic accuracy in two (4.3%) cases and one (2.2%) case, respectively. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of 25G‐FNA‐LBC and 22G‐FNA‐H for solid pancreatic lesions were comparable. A conventional 25‐gauge needle that punctures lesions with ease can be used in difficult cases and according to the skill of the endoscopist. We analyzed 46 patients who underwent both endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy histology with a 22‐gauge Franseen needle and fine‐needle aspiration liquid‐based cytology with a conventional 25‐gauge needle in the same lesion during the same endoscopic procedure. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic ability of both methods. Our study suggests that a conventional 25‐gauge needle that punctures lesions with ease can be used in difficult cases and according to the skill of the endoscopist.

A 64‐year‐old woman had undergone subtotal stomach‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for locally advanced pancreatic head cancer. She had an uneventful postoperative course with no recurrence. However, approximately 18 months after surgery, she presented with recurrent abdominal pain. Although contrast‐enhanced computed tomography abdominal radiographs showed internal stent migration to the residual pancreas, dilatation of the tail side of the pancreatic duct was observed. The impaired internal stent was considered to be the cause of the abdominal pain. An attempt to remove the stent via balloon‐assisted endoscopy was unsuccessful as the pancreaticojejunostomy site could not be reached. Consequently, endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided pancreatic duct drainage was performed, and a plastic stent was placed through the jejunal site to the stomach. Two months later, the endosonographically/endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided created route was dilated, and an endoscopic introducer was inserted into the pancreatic duct. Biopsy forceps were advanced through the sheath, allowing the successful removal of the stent by direct grasping. The symptoms of the patient improved, and she was discharged without complications.

Background and AimsTo determine the value of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS) for differentiation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs).MethodsFrom April 2015 to December 2017, 82 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were confirmed to have PCNs by surgical pathology. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent fundamental B-mode EUS (FB-EUS) and CE-EUS, 65 of whom underwent computed tomography (CT) and 71 of whom underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The enhanced mode data of PCNs were recorded. The diagnostic accuracy of CE-EUS in classifying PCNs was compared with that of CT, MRI and FB-EUS. The ability of CE-EUS to identify PCNs was evaluated by comparing the enhanced mode of PCNs.ResultsThere was a significant difference between benign and malignant lesions in enhanced mode (P = 0.017). The enhanced modes of benign lesions were mostly type II and type III, while those of malignant lesions were type 0, type I, and type IV. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of type 0, type I, and type IV enhanced mode as the diagnostic criterion for malignant lesions were 80%, 65.3%, and 67.1%, respectively. CE-EUS demonstrated greater accuracy in identifying PCNs than did CT, MRI, and FB-EUS (CE-EUS vs. CT: 92.3% vs. 76.9%; CE-EUS vs. MRI: 93.0% vs. 78.9%; CE-EUS vs. FB-EUS: 92.7% vs. 84.2%).ConclusionCompared with CT, MRI, and FB-EUS, CE-EUS is better at differentiating PCNs. CE-EUS is expected to be another important imaging technique for the diagnosis of PCNs.