EUS and K-ras analysis of pure pancreatic juice collected via a duodenoscope after secretin stimulation for diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesion: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND

The early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer remains problematic. This prospective study assessed the utility of a combination of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and genetic analysis of pure pancreatic juice in the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions.

METHODS

One hundred seventy-six patients with suspected pancreatic disease were enrolled and underwent ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde choleangiopancreatography (ERCP), and EUS. Pure pancreatic juice was collected endoscopically after secretin stimulation. K-ras point mutations at codon 12 in the juice were assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

Thirty-six (20%) patients were found to have solid pancreatic masses including 19 with cancer (7 patients,

CONCLUSIONS

EUS and K-ras determination in pure pancreatic juice collected via a duodenoscope may be useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions.