Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Evaluation of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors - Report of 22 Cases from a Tertiary Center in Iran

Background: The pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) is relatively rare and generally felt to follow anindolent course. EUS has an important role in detection of pNET. This is a review of clinical and radiologicalpresentation and pathologic reports of 22 patients with pNET. Patients and methods: In this study we analyzedclinical and radiological presentations and pathologic reports of all relevant cases who were referred to Taleghanihospital for 3 years since 2008.
Results: A total of 22 patients 28-74 years old (mean=49) were enrolled between2008 and 2011. Among the total, 13 (59%) were male, 9 (41%) were female and 16 (72.7%) had functional tumors.The results of CT were negative in 12 (54%) cases but EUS was capable of detecting the lesions in these patients,cysts being found in 4 (19%) patients.
Conclusion: EUS is a highly sensitive procedure for the localization offunctional pNETs and especially insulinomas. Nonfunctional tumors were detected in more advanced and latestages and cystic lesions were more common in this group.