Assessment of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and pure pancreatic juice cytology in patients with pancreatic disease

Abstract

Pure pancreatic juice has been collected from 61 patients at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) for the purpose of cytodiagnosis. The ERCP and cytological findings are discussed. Pure pancreatic juice cytology may help in the interpretation of the pancreatogram in both pancreatis and pancreatic carcinoma. In patients with pancreatic carcinoma, ERCP alone was diagnostic in 65%, cytology alone 54%. By combining these two approaches, a diagnostic result was obtained in 92% of patients.