Cystic pancreatic lesions, the endless dilemma

Abstract

Cystic pancreatic lesions involve a wide variety of pathological entities that include neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. The proper diagnosis, differentiation, and staging of these cystic lesions are considered a crucial issue in planning further management. There are great challenges for their diagnostic models. In our time, new emerging methods for this diagnosis have been discovered. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology with chemical and molecular analysis of cyst fluid and EUS-guided fine needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, through the needle microforceps biopsy, and single-operator cholangioscopy/pancreatoscopy are promising methods that have been used in the diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions. Hereby we discuss the diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions and the benefits of various diagnostic models.

Keywords: Cyst fluid markers; Endoscopic diagnosis; Endoscopic ultrasonography; Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy; Pancreatic cystic lesion; Single operator cholangioscopy/pancreatoscopy; Through the needle microforceps biopsy.