Gray scale ultrasound and endoscopic ductography in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease.

Seventy-two patients were examined by ultrasonography and endoscopic pancreaticography (ERCP) because of clinical suspicion of pancreatic disease. The following final diagnoses were obtained. Carcinoma of the pancreas: 20 patients; pancreatitis: 27 patients; other diseases: 17 patients; no organic disease: 8 patients. In this series, carcinoma of the pancreas was demonstrated with almost equal efficacy by the two methods used. Cysts in the pancreas were better demonstrated by ultrasonography, while ERCP was superior in demonstrating chronic pancreatitis. The diagnostic results with the exclusive use of one method was not satisfactory, but by combining the two methods an adequate diagnostic accuracy was obtained. Thus in the 47 patients with pancreatic disease, organic abnormalities were demonstrated by the two combined methods in 46 (98%). In 41 of the 47 patients (87%) the exact nature of the lesion could be assessed by combining the two methods.