Comprehensive review of diagnostic modalities for early chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis(CP)is a progressive condition caused by several factors and characterised by pancreatic fibrosis and dysfunction.However,CP is difficult to diagnose at an early stage.Various advanced methods including endoscopic ultrasound based elastography and confocal laser endomicroscopy have been used to diagnose early CP,although no unified diagnostic standards have been established.In the past,the diagnosis was mainly based on imaging,and no comprehensive evaluations were performed.This review describes and compares the advantages and limitations of the traditional and latest diagnostic modalities and suggests guidelines for the standardisation of the methods used to diagnose early CP.

Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound in the evaluation of small gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)with a diameter of<2 cm are called small GISTs.Currently,endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)is widely used as a regular followup method for GISTs,which can also provide a preliminary basis for judging the malignancy potential of lesions.However,there are no studies on the accuracy of EUS to assess the malignant potential of small GISTs.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of EUS in the diagnosis and risk assessment of small GISTs.METHODS We collected data from patients with small GISTs who were admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between October 2014 and July 2019.The accurate diagnosis and risk classifications of patients were based on the pathological assessment according to the modified National Institute of Health criteria after endoscopic resection or laparoscopic surgery.Preoperative EUS features(marginal irregularity,cystic changes,homogeneity,ulceration,and strong echogenic foci)were retrospectively analyzed.The assessment results based on EUS features were compared with the pathological features.RESULTS A total of 256 patients(69 men and 187 women)were enrolled.Pathological results included 232,16,7,and 1 very low-,low-,intermediate-,and high-risk cases,respectively.The most frequent tumor location was the gastric fundus(78.1%),and mitoses were calculated as>5/50 high power field in 8(3.1%)patients.Marginal irregularity,ulceration,strong echo foci,and heterogeneity were detected in 1(0.4%),2(0.8%),22(8.6%),and 67(65.1%)patients,respectively.However,cystic changes were not detected.Tumor size was positively correlated with the mitotic index(P<0.001).Receiver operating curve analysis identified 1.48 cm as the best cut-off value to predict malignant potential(95%confidence interval:0.824–0.956).EUS heterogeneity with tumor diameters>1.48 cm was associated with higher risk classification(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Small GISTs(diameters>1.48 cm)with positive EUS features should receive intensive surveillance or undergo endoscopic surgery.EUS and dissection are efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for small GISTs.