Published online Oct 16, 2017. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v9.i10.506
Peer-review started: February 12, 2017
First decision: March 27, 2017
Revised: August 28, 2017
Accepted: September 4, 2017
Article in press: September 5, 2017
Published online: October 16, 2017
Processing time: 255 Days and 21.4 Hours
Elastography is one of technologies assisting diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions (SPL). This technology has been previously used for measuring the stiffness of various organs based on a principle of “harder the lesions, higher chance for malignancy”. Two elastography techniques; strain and shear wave elastography, are available. For endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), only the former is existing. To interpret results of EUS elastography for SPL, 3 methods are used: (1) pattern recognition; (2) strain ratio; and (3) strain histogram. Based on results of existing studies, these 3 techniques provide high sensitivity but low to moderate specificity and accuracy rate. This review will summarize all available information in order to update current situation of using elastography for an evaluation of SPLs to readers.
Core tip: Elastography is a technology that can measure tissue stiffness. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography has been increasingly used for an evaluation of solid pancreatic lesions (SPL). Several interpretation methods of EUS elastography for this purpose have been described in many previous studies. This review focuses on how to read and interpret findings of EUS elastography obtained from SPL. Readers should be competent for applying EUS elastography for diagnosing SPL after finishing reading the review.