EUS DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

Abstract

EUS is a widely recognized, noninvasive imaging modality that enables high-resolution evaluation and is useful for the diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis (ECP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, low interobserver reliability in the EUS diagnosis of ECP and CP has long been a significant issue. Recent advances in ultrasound technology have enabled the use of elastography in EUS to assess tissue stiffness. In addition to conventional strain elastography, the introduction of shear wave elastography has made it possible to evaluate the degree of pancreatic fibrosis more objectively and quantitatively, thereby improving the reproducibility and accuracy of EUS diagnoses. Furthermore, recent developments in image processing have facilitated the measurement of ultrasound speed to optimize image construction conditions, and their utility in improving diagnostic accuracy has also been reported. These technological advances have made the diagnosis of ECP and CP more straightforward and objective. In particular, the early diagnosis of CP is extremely important for preventing progression to pancreatic cancer, and further development and standardization of EUS techniques are highly anticipated.