OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an established tool for evaluation of adults with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) whereas data in pediatrics is limited. Our study assessed the role of EUS in identifying etiology including changes of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children and adolescents with ARP. METHODS: Children with ARP (≥2 episodes of acute pancreatitis [AP]) were prospectively evaluated with a detailed clinical proforma and EUS. Subjects with known etiology of ARP or CP on ultrasonography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP, Cambridge grade ≥3) were excluded. Parenchymal and ductal changes on EUS as per minimal standards terminology (MST) features were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-two children (22 boys, age 14 [8-18] years) with ARP (median of 3 [2-5] episodes of AP) were enrolled. EUS was safe and technically successful in all. Gall bladder sludge was found in 1 (3%) case and none had other pancreatobiliary structural abnormalities. EUS diagnosis of CP (≥4 features) was made in 10/32 (31%) cases. Subjects with CP on EUS had a longer disease duration than those without CP (45 [10-97] vs 22 [8-78] months; P = ns). MRCP was normal in 28 and showed pancreas divisum in 1 case. Three cases had equivocal (Cambridge II) changes at initial MRCP and 2 of them had repeat MRCP, which showed definite (Cambridge IV) CP. All these 3 cases had CP on EUS. CONCLUSIONS: EUS diagnosed CP (≥4 features) in 31% and biliary abnormality in 3% children with ARP. EUS is safe, sensitive, and useful for early diagnosis of CP in children with ARP.
OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an established tool for evaluation of adults with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) whereas data in pediatrics is limited. Our study assessed the role of EUS in identifying etiology including changes of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children and adolescents with ARP. METHODS:Children with ARP (≥2 episodes of acute pancreatitis [AP]) were prospectively evaluated with a detailed clinical proforma and EUS. Subjects with known etiology of ARP or CP on ultrasonography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP, Cambridge grade ≥3) were excluded. Parenchymal and ductal changes on EUS as per minimal standards terminology (MST) features were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-two children (22 boys, age 14 [8-18] years) with ARP (median of 3 [2-5] episodes of AP) were enrolled. EUS was safe and technically successful in all. Gall bladder sludge was found in 1 (3%) case and none had other pancreatobiliary structural abnormalities. EUS diagnosis of CP (≥4 features) was made in 10/32 (31%) cases. Subjects with CP on EUS had a longer disease duration than those without CP (45 [10-97] vs 22 [8-78] months; P = ns). MRCP was normal in 28 and showed pancreas divisum in 1 case. Three cases had equivocal (Cambridge II) changes at initial MRCP and 2 of them had repeat MRCP, which showed definite (Cambridge IV) CP. All these 3 cases had CP on EUS. CONCLUSIONS: EUS diagnosed CP (≥4 features) in 31% and biliary abnormality in 3% children with ARP. EUS is safe, sensitive, and useful for early diagnosis of CP in children with ARP.
Authors: Barbara Bizzarri; Giorgio Nervi; Alessia Ghiselli; Elisabetta Manzali; Francesco Di Mario; Gioacchino Leandro; Federica Gaiani; Stefano Kayali; Gian Luigi De' Angelis Journal: Acta Biomed Date: 2018-12-17