Patients With Unexplained Dilated Pancreatic Duct Have High Risk of Biliopancreatic Malignancy Detected by EUS.

INTRODUCTION

Patients with unexplained dilated common bile duct (CBD) and/or dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) on noninvasive abdominal imaging tests are often referred for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in order to rule out biliopancreatic cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS in this patient group.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted. Patients with unexplained dilated CBD and/or MPD on abdominal imaging, who underwent EUS, were enrolled.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients underwent EUS (CBD dilation n=38, MPD dilation n=5 or both n=11). In 31/54 patients (57.4%), EUS revealed pathologic findings. Sixteen patients (29.6%) had EUS evidence of biliopancreatic cancer and 15 patients (27.7%) had benign pathology. Ten (62.5%) of the patients with biliopancreatic cancer had MPD dilation. MPD dilation was significantly associated with malignancy (P=0.017).

CONCLUSION

Patients with unexplained dilated MPD on noninvasive image have a high risk of biliopancreatic malignancy detected by EUS.