Rapid Diagnosis of Pancreatic Carcinoma

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Abstract
An algorithmic approach for radiological evaluation of suspected pancreatic carcinoma was applied in more than 200 patients. Outpatient ultrasonography and Ba studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract were followed by inpatient endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, angiography and percutaneous biopsy. Evaluation took no more than 2 hospital days and exploratory laparotomy was not needed. Twenty-five patients had carcinoma. The diagnostic accuracy of the algorithm was 96%. Although this method did not increase the diagnosis of resectable tumors, it did result in rapid, accurate diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma with minimum patient discomfort. These results may eventually lead to earlier diagnosis and improved survival.

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