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ShareJan. 19, 2010 — A research team from Taiwan assessed the safety, yield, and clinical utility of percutaneous transgastric computed tomography-guided biopsy in patients with pancreatic masses. They found that percutaneous transgastric biopsy of the pancreas in selected patients with a combination of a 17-gauge introducer needle and an 18-gauge biopsy gun can be safe and has a high successful rate.
It is reasonable to obtain a histological diagnosis before treating patients who have pancreatic masses and are unsuitable or unwilling to undergo surgery. As the pancreas is a deep seated organ surrounded by other vital structures, it is a challenge for the physician to obtain an adequate specimen for histological examination. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of pancreatic masses has been proved to be a safe and effective method. However, if the hospital has no such facilities or patients are unwilling or intolerant of the procedure, computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy is an alternative method.
A research article to be published on December 21, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. A research team from Taiwan reviewed 34 CT-guided biopsies in patients with pancreas mass, of whom 24 (71%) had a direct path to the mass without passing through a major organ.
Their results showed tumor tissues were obtained in nine pancreatic biopsies, and histologic specimens for diagnosis were obtained in all cases. An immediate imaging study and clinical follow-up detected neither hemorrhage nor peritonitis. No delayed procedure-related complication was seen during the survival period of all patients.
They drew a conclusion that it is feasible to perform transgastric biopsy of a pancreatic lesion using a large needle.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by World Journal of Gastroenterology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
- Tseng HS, Chen CY, Chan WP, Chiang JH. Percutaneous transgastric computed tomography-guided biopsy of the pancreas using large needles. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009; 15 (47): 5972 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.5972
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
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