Combining contrast harmonic and elastography during EUS examination of pancreatic tumors increases diagnostic accuracy

Contrast Enhanced EUS for Predicting Solid Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Grade and Aggressiveness

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) behavior assessment is a daily challenge for physicians. Modern PNET management varies from a watch-and-wait strategy to surgery depending on tumor aggressiveness. Therefore, the aggressiveness definition plays a pivotal role in the PNET work-up. The aggressiveness of PNETs is mainly based on the dimensions and histological grading, with sometimes a lack of specificity and sensibility. In the last twenty years, EUS has become a cornerstone in the diagnostic phase of PNET management for its high diagnostic yield and the possibility of obtaining a histological specimen. The number of EUS applications in the PNET work-up has been rapidly increasing with new and powerful possibilities. The application of contrast has led to an important step in PNET detection; in recent years, it has been gaining interesting applications in aggressiveness assessment. In this review, we underline the latest experiences and opportunities in the behavior assessment of PNETs using contact-enhanced EUS and contested enhanced harmonic EUS with a particular focus on the future application and possibility that these techniques could provide.

Early detection of pancreatic tumors by advanced EUS imaging

The early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) dramatically improves outcome. All available state-of-the-art imaging methods allow early detection with EUS being the best technique for exclusion of PDAC and detection of very early PDAC. Etiological differentiation of small SPL is important to guide individually tailored patients' management including radical surgery in resectable PDAC, medical (neoadjuvant or palliative intended) treatment in patients with non-resectable malignancy, pancreatic parenchyma saving strategies in some non-PDAC, and follow-up in particular in low-grade PanNEN or other small benign lesions. Multimodality EUS imaging including B-Mode assessment, elastography, contrast-enhancement and EUS-guided sampling is the most appropriate technique for diagnosis and risk assessment of small SPL. We present a review discussing modern (endoscopic) ultrasound imaging techniques including contrast enhanced ultrasound and elastography for the early detection and characterization of solid pancreatic lesions.