Contrast Enhanced EUS for Predicting Solid Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Grade and Aggressiveness

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) behavior assessment is a daily challenge for physicians. Modern PNET management varies from a watch-and-wait strategy to surgery depending on tumor aggressiveness. Therefore, the aggressiveness definition plays a pivotal role in the PNET work-up. The aggressive...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gianluca Franchellucci, Marta Andreozzi, Silvia Carrara, Luca De Luca, Francesco Auriemma, Danilo Paduano, Federica Calabrese, Antonio Facciorusso, Valeria Poletti, Alessandro Zerbi, Andrea Gerardo Lania, Alexia Francesca Bertuzzi, Paola Spaggiari, Vittorio Pedicini, Marcello Rodari, Pietro Fusaroli, Andrea Lisotti, Andrew Ofosu, Alessandro Repici, Benedetto Mangiavillano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/2/239
Description
Summary:Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) behavior assessment is a daily challenge for physicians. Modern PNET management varies from a watch-and-wait strategy to surgery depending on tumor aggressiveness. Therefore, the aggressiveness definition plays a pivotal role in the PNET work-up. The aggressiveness of PNETs is mainly based on the dimensions and histological grading, with sometimes a lack of specificity and sensibility. In the last twenty years, EUS has become a cornerstone in the diagnostic phase of PNET management for its high diagnostic yield and the possibility of obtaining a histological specimen. The number of EUS applications in the PNET work-up has been rapidly increasing with new and powerful possibilities. The application of contrast has led to an important step in PNET detection; in recent years, it has been gaining interesting applications in aggressiveness assessment. In this review, we underline the latest experiences and opportunities in the behavior assessment of PNETs using contact-enhanced EUS and contested enhanced harmonic EUS with a particular focus on the future application and possibility that these techniques could provide.
ISSN:2075-4418