Comparison of abdominal ultrasonographic findings with endoscopic ultrasonographic findings of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas.

Abstract

To compare abdominal ultrasonographic (AU) findings with endoscopic

ultrasonographic (EUS) findings of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the

pancreas, 13 patients (male-to-female ratio, 3:10; mean age, 36 years) with

surgically proven SPN who underwent both preoperative AU and EUS were included in

the study. Ultrasonographic findings of the 2 modalities were compared according

to internal echogenicity, calcification, demarcation, internal septum, and main

pancreatic duct dilatation. Nine cases showed hypoechogenicity on both AU and

EUS. The remaining 4 cases showed different echogenicity on both modalities as

follows: hypoechogenicity (n = 2) and isoechogenicity (n = 2) on AU; and

hyperechogenicity (n = 1), poor visualization of internal architecture due to

dense rim calcification (n = 2), and isoechogenicity (n = 1) on EUS. In 2 cases

with dense rim calcification, evaluation of the internal contents was more

difficult on EUS compared with AU. In addition, central punctate calcifications

of 2 cases were well visualized on both AU and EUS, but the 1 case of peripheral

calcification was only seen on EUS. All cases showed good demarcation without

main pancreatic ductal dilatation or internal septa. Endoscopic ultrasonography

was superior to AU for the evaluation of internal echogenicity of pancreatic SPN;

however, AU was superior at evaluating larger tumors and tumors with dense rim

calcification.