Korean J Gastroenterol.  2002 Feb;39(2):114-118.

Diagnostic Value of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Patients with Suspected Chronic Alcoholic Pancreatitis

• Lee JH
• Sin HD
• Lee MY
• Shin KC
• Jang HS
• Heo JH
• Nam SW
• Roe IH

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was to evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in diagnosing suspected chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.
METHODS
EUS was performed on 48 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) for recurrent episodes of alcohol induced pancreatitis. According to the ERP findings, the patients were divided into two groups: the group I showing normal pancreatogram (n=18) and the group II showing abnormal dilatated pancreatogram of Cambridge classification II or higher (n=30). EUS evaluated parenchymal changes (inhomogeneity, interlobular septae, echogenic foci, pseudocyst) and ductal changes (dilatation, tortuosity, thickened wall, stone or calcification, and side branch ectasia).
RESULTS
Group I showed one or more abnormal parenchymal features were found in 17 patients (94.4%), two or more in 11 patients (61.1%), and three or more in 6 patients (33.3%). However, no abnormal ductal features were found in the Group I. In the group II, all patients had three or more abnormal EUS features.
CONCLUSIONS
EUS shows definite parenchymal changes in patients suspected of having chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Therefore, EUS can be an useful diagnostic tool in the early stage of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

Keyword

Endoscopic ultrasonography; Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis; Parenchymal changes; Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography

MeSH Terms

Alcoholics*
Classification
Endosonography*
Humans
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, Alcoholic*