A Comparison of Etiologies and Characteristics of Solitary Versus Synchronous Pancreatic Masses Undergoing Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy

Abstract

Objectives Pancreatic mass lesions are often solitary, although rarely synchronous pancreatic masses are encountered. No study has compared synchronous lesions with solitary lesions in the same population. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings of multiple pancreatic masses on consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for pancreatic mass lesion. Methods All patients undergoing EUS for pancreatic mass lesions with histologic sampling over a 5-year span were identified. Charts were abstracted for demographics, medical history, radiographic findings, EUS findings, and histology and were reviewed. Results A total of 646 patients were identified, of which 27 patients (4.18%) had more than 1 pancreatic mass on EUS or cross-sectional imaging. The 2 groups were comparable with each other in terms of demographic factors and medical history. The 2 cohorts were comparable in location of the largest pancreas lesion and EUS characteristics. Patients with synchronous mass lesions were more likely to have metastatic lesions (P = 0.01). No other differences in histology were noted between the 2 groups. Conclusions Patients with multiple pancreatic mass lesions were more likely to have metastatic lesions compared with patients with solitary lesions.