Association Between Advances in High-Resolution Cross-Section Imaging Technologies and Increase in Prevalence of Pancreatic Cysts From 2005 to 2014

What is the Incidence of Malignancy in Resected Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms? An Analysis of Over 100 US Institutions in a Single Year

BACKGROUND

A subset of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) will progress to invasive adenocarcinoma, however identifying invasive from non-invasive disease preoperatively remains challenging. The rate of malignancy in resected IPMNs in the US remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the rate of malignancy and factors associated with high-risk pathology in resected IPMNs.

METHODS

The most recent annual cohort of patients undergoing pancreatectomy included in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were assessed, and contributions of demographics, preoperative laboratory values, and outcome data to level of IPMN dysplasia were analyzed. The main outcomes were incidence of invasive carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia.

RESULTS

Of 5025 pancreatectomies in 1 year, 478 patients underwent pancreatectomy for IPMN. Invasive carcinoma/high-grade dysplasia was identified in 23% of resected lesions, and there was no difference in patient characteristics or type of resection performed in patients with invasive versus non-invasive pathology. Patients with invasive IPMNs presented significantly more often with high liver function tests, >10% weight loss, clinical jaundice and stent placement, and were more likely to undergo an open operation (p = 0.03). There were no differences in perioperative outcomes. Adjusted logistic regression identified an association between invasive disease and non-soft pancreatic gland texture (odds ratio 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.68, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 10% of all pancreatectomies in the US are for IPMNs. In these patients, treated after the revised international consensus guidelines, only 23% of IPMNs contained invasive or high-grade histology. Resections carried similar morbidity regardless of pathology. Improved biomarkers are needed to aid in surgical selection.

The 2012 International Consensus Guidelines of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas (Fukuoka Criteria) Predict the Malignant Potential, Even in Actual Clinical Situations

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to validate the use of the 2012 International Consensus Guidelines for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) (Fukuoka criteria) in patients without findings of obstructive jaundice and/or an enhanced solid component.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who underwent pancreatectomy for IPMN between October 2002 and September 2016. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for malignancy were calculated for each feature of high-risk stigmata.

RESULTS

Of the 135 patients who underwent surgery for IPMN, 50 (37.0%) had low/intermediate-grade dysplasia, 25 (18.5%) had high-grade dysplasia, and the remaining 60 (44.5%) had invasive carcinoma. A malignant potential was, thus, present in 63% of all resected cases. Considering an actual clinical situation, the predictors for malignant potential were assessed in 62 patients without findings of obstructive jaundice and/or an enhanced solid component. A multivariate analysis revealed that the Fukuoka criteria were the only independent factor for predicting the malignant potential (odds ratio, 5.69; P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that malignant potential can be accurately detected by faithfully keeping to the Fukuoka criteria. Using these criteria enables us to identify patients with malignant potential, even in the actual clinical situations.

Prevalence of incidental pancreatic cyst on upper endoscopic ultrasound

Background:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts in patients undergoing upper endoscopic ultrasound without a known pancreatic abnormality.

Methods:

This prospective study was conducted in two hospitals in Spain and enrolled consecutive patients referred for upper endoscopic ultrasound for a condition unrelated to the pancreas. Patients with a previous pancreatic anomaly, history of acute or chronic pancreatitis, evidence of acute pancreatitis, previous upper gastrointestinal surgery, or chronic abdominal pain suggestive of pancreatic origin were excluded. Univariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate individual covariates and the incidental pancreatic cyst risk.

Results:

A total of 298 patients were included, of whom 64 had pancreatic cysts (21.5%; 16.9-26.6%). The mean size of the cysts was 6.3±3.7 (range 3-25) mm. Six cysts (2%) were >10 mm and 16 (5.4%) were compatible with branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. The pancreatic cyst prevalence was similar in the two hospitals and increased significantly with age.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts during endoscopic ultrasound was very high in our study population.

The prevalence of pancreatic cystic lesions in patients with liver cirrhosis is double that in controls

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are commonly diagnosed incidentally and are often preneoplastic. Their presence may influence the management of patients with chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis (LC). This study evaluated the prevalence and nature of PCLs in LC patients.

METHODS

The images of 192 LC patients and 192 controls who underwent either computed tomography scan or nuclear magnetic resonance were reviewed for the presence and nature of PCLs. The prevalence of PCLs in both groups and differences between LC patients with and without PCLs were analysed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with PCLs.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 192 LC patients (18%) and 19/192 controls (10%) had PCLs (p = .027). The prevalence of presumptive intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) was double in LC patients compared with controls (14% vs 7%; p = .065). In multivariate analysis, age, LC and having undergone a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were factors associated with PCLs and IPMNs. LC patients with PCLs were older at the time of imaging and had a longer history of liver disease (67 vs. 43 months; p = 0.039) compared with LC patients without PCLs.

CONCLUSIONS

PCLs are more common in LC patients than in controls, and most are IPMNs. The occurrence of PCLs in LC patients seems to be related to age and disease duration.

Global Protease Activity Profiling Provides Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cysts

Purpose: Pancreatic cysts are estimated to be present in 2%-3% of the adult population. Unfortunately, current diagnostics do not accurately distinguish benign cysts from those that can progress into invasive cancer. Misregulated pericellular proteolysis is a hallmark of malignancy, and therefore, we used a global approach to discover protease activities that differentiate benign nonmucinous cysts from premalignant mucinous cysts.Experimental Design: We employed an unbiased and global protease profiling approach to discover protease activities in 23 cyst fluid samples. The distinguishing activities of select proteases was confirmed in 110 samples using specific fluorogenic substrates and required less than 5 μL of cyst fluid.Results: We determined that the activities of the aspartyl proteases gastricsin and cathepsin E are highly increased in fluid from mucinous cysts. IHC analysis revealed that gastricsin expression was associated with regions of low-grade dysplasia, whereas cathepsin E expression was independent of dysplasia grade. Gastricsin activity differentiated mucinous from nonmucinous cysts with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93%, whereas cathepsin E activity was 92% specific and 70% sensitive. Gastricsin significantly outperformed the most widely used molecular biomarker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), which demonstrated 94% specificity and 65% sensitivity. Combined analysis of gastricsin and CEA resulted in a near perfect classifier with 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity.Conclusions: Quantitation of gastricsin and cathepsin E activities accurately distinguished mucinous from nonmucinous pancreatic cysts and has the potential to replace current diagnostics for analysis of these highly prevalent lesions. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4865-74. ©2017 AACR.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas - epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and management

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is one of the most common cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. It is a heterogeneous disease and can be divided into ductal types and morphological subtypes. The incidence of IPMN is increasing, likely due to the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging and a growing elderly population. IPMN poses an increasing demand on the health care system. Current guidelines provide indications for surgery and recommendations for surveillance, but management of IPMN is still challenging in routine clinical practice. In this article, we review current knowledge about IPMN and provide future directions for improving diagnosis and management.

Active Surveillance Beyond 5 Years Is Required for Presumed Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms Undergoing Non-Operative Management

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the results of active surveillance beyond 5 years in patients with branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) without worrisome features (WF) and high-risk stigmata (HRS) undergoing non-operative management.

METHODS

Patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years who underwent surveillance with at least yearly magnetic resonance imaging were included. New onset of and predictors of WF/HRS during follow-up as well as long-term survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

In all, 144 patients were followed for a median of 84 months. At diagnosis multifocal BD-IPMNs were found in 53% of cases and mean size of the largest cyst was 15.5 mm. Changes during follow-up were observed in 69 patients (48%). New onset of WF/HRS were observed in 26 patients (18%) but the rate of HRS was only 4%. WF and HRS developed after a median follow-up of 71 and 77.5 months from diagnosis, respectively, and without previous changes in 19/26 patients. Independent predictors of WF/HRS development were size at diagnosis>15 mm, increase in number of lesions, main pancreatic duct growth rate ≥0.2 mm/year, cyst growth rate >1 mm/year. Overall, the rate of pancreatic invasive malignancy was 2% and the 12-year disease-specific survival was 98.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term nonoperative management is safe for BD-IPMNs without WF and HRS. Discontinuation of surveillance cannot be recommended since one out of six patients developed WF/HRS far beyond 5 years of surveillance and without previous relevant modifications. An intensification of follow-up should be considered after 5 years.

Management of Incidental Pancreatic Cysts: A White Paper of the ACR Incidental Findings Committee

The ACR Incidental Findings Committee (IFC) presents recommendations for managing pancreatic cysts that are incidentally detected on CT or MRI. These recommendations represent an update from the pancreatic component of the JACR 2010 white paper on managing incidental findings in the adrenal glands, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. The Pancreas Subcommittee-which included abdominal radiologists, a gastroenterologist, and a pancreatic surgeon-developed this algorithm. The recommendations draw from published evidence and expert opinion, and were finalized by informal iterative consensus. Algorithm branches successively categorize pancreatic cysts based on patient characteristics and imaging features. They terminate with an ascertainment of benignity and/or indolence (sufficient to discontinue follow-up), or a management recommendation. The algorithm addresses most, but not all, pathologies and clinical scenarios. Our goal is to improve quality of care by providing guidance on how to manage incidentally detected pancreatic cysts.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystadenomas: current status and recommendations

The real prevalence of pancreatic cystic lesions remains unknown. The malignant potential of some of these lesions remains a cause for significant concern. Thus, it is mandatory to develop a strategy to clearly discriminate those cysts with a potential for malignant transformation from those that do not carry any significant risk. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystadenomas are mucinous cystic neoplasms with a known malignant potential that have gained greater recognition in recent years. However, despite the numerous studies that have been carried out, their differential diagnosis among other cysts subtypes and their therapeutic approach continue to be a challenge for clinicians. This review contains a critical approach of the current recommendations and management strategies regarding intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystadenomas, as well as highlighting the limitations exposed in current guidelines.

Thermal ablation of pancreatic cyst with a prototype endoscopic ultrasound capable radiofrequency needle device: A pilot feasibility study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pancreatic cysts are evaluated by endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (EUS). The only accepted treatment is pancreatectomy, which is associated with morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the optimal thermal dosimetry of a novel radiofrequency ablation device using a standard electrosurgical unit in ex vivo cyst models.

METHODS

A modified EUS 22-gauge monopolar needle prototype with a tip electrode connected to a standard electrosurgical unit (Erbe USA, Marietta, GA, USA) was used to induce a subboiling point temperature. A cyst model was created using 2-cm sections of porcine small intestine ligated and filled with saline. After ablation, the cyst models were prepared for pathological evaluation. The epithelial layers were measured in at least two different sites with a micrometer and compared with the corresponding control sample.

RESULTS

Thirty-two cyst models were ablated with maximum temperatures of 50°C, 60°C, 90°C, and 97°C in 8, 11, 11, and 2 cysts, respectively. Longer ablation times were required to induce higher temperatures. A trend in the reduction in thickness of the measured layers was observed after exposure to higher temperatures. A temperature over 50°C was required for the ablation of the muscularis, submucosa, and villi, and over 60°C was required to ablate the mucosal crypts.

CONCLUSIONS

In a preclinical model, a novel radiofrequency EUS-capable needle connected to a standard electrosurgical unit using standard low-voltage coagulation provided ablation in a temperature-dependent fashion with a threshold of at least 60°C and a safe cyst margin below 97°C. This potentially will allow low-cost, convenient cyst ablation.

Pathology of Pancreatic Cancer Precursor Lesions

To better understand pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and improve its prognosis, it is essential to understand its origins. This article describes the pathology of the 3 well-established pancreatic cancer precursor lesions: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. Each of these precursor lesions has unique clinical findings, gross and microscopic features, and molecular aberrations. This article focuses on histopathologic diagnostic criteria and reporting guidelines. The genetics of these lesions are briefly discussed. Early detection and adequate treatment of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions has the potential to prevent pancreatic cancer and improve the prognosis of PDAC.

Distinguishing benign from malignant main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas by multislice helical computed tomography

Main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (MD-IPMNs) of the pancreas are located in the dilated main pancreatic duct and associated with mucin overproduction. They may have a high degree of malignancy and lack specific clinical manifestations. With advantages of thin slice thickness, high resolution, multi-phase dynamic scan and multiple post-processing techniques, multislice helical computed tomography (MSCT) can accurately diagnose and differentiate malignant from benign MD-IPMNs. This paper will review the current advances in differentiating malignant from benign MD-IPMNs by MSCT.