Pancreatoscopy assisted by endoscopic sphincter dilation.

To investigate tumor extension to the main pancreatic duct in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, we conducted pancreatoscopy assisted by endoscopic sphincter dilation (ESD). Two patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors were included in this study. The endoscopic sphincter dilation was performed using an Olbert balloon-tipped catheter. A mother-baby scope system was used for endoscopic examination. After dilation of the orifice, the babyscope was inserted smoothly. Tumorous lesions (especially the typical salmon-roe appearance of the tumors) were clearly observed in the main pancreatic duct in one patient, while no tumorous lesions were identified in the other patient. The ESD procedure may be applicable for assisting insertion of the endoscope through the papilla of Vater into the pancreatic duct. ESD is useful both for treating and for diagnosing pancreatic lesions.