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Published on: March 22, 2017
EUS in pediatric patients
Tan Attila1, Douglas G Adler, Kristen Hilden
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA.
Insights
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are safe and effective in diagnosing pediatric gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary, and mediastinal diseases. This study highlights their significant clinical utility in young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Limited data exists on the application and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in pediatric populations.
- Pediatric gastrointestinal, pancreatobiliary, and mediastinal diseases often present diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the indications, feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of EUS in managing pediatric GI, pancreatobiliary, and mediastinal conditions.
- To assess the diagnostic yield of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 40 EUS procedures performed in 38 children (mean age 13.5 years) across two tertiary referral centers.
- Review of indications, procedural success, diagnostic outcomes, and complications.
Main Results:
- EUS indications included pancreatobiliary (pancreatitis, masses), gastric (lesions), and mediastinal (masses/nodes) evaluations.
- EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed in 12 cases (30%), achieving a 75% diagnostic rate.
- The procedures were successful in all patients with no reported complications.
Conclusions:
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-FNA are safe and feasible diagnostic tools in pediatric patients.
- EUS has a significant impact on the clinical management of diverse pediatric diseases.
- Further research can expand the role of EUS in pediatric care.
Background:
The knowledge of EUS use in children is limited.
Objective:
We investigated the indications, feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of EUS in the management of pediatric GI, pancreatobiliary, and mediastinal diseases.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Setting:
Two tertiary referral university hospitals.
Patients:
Consecutive children age younger than 18 years referred over a 7-year period for EUS evaluation.
Results:
Forty EUS scans were performed in 38 children with a mean age of 13.5 years. The indications for pancreatobiliary endosonography were pancreatitis (n = 10), solid pancreatic mass (n = 7), cystic pancreatic mass (n = 1), cyst in the setting of chronic pancreatitis (n = 1), suspected annular pancreas (n = 1), celiac plexus block (n = 1), suspected common bile duct stone (n = 1), abdominal pain and atrophic pancreas (n = 1), ampullary adenoma (n = 1), and abnormal MRCP in a patient with jaundice (n = 1). The indications for gastric EUS were mucosal lesions (n = 2) and subepithelial lesions (n = 4). The indications for mediastinal endosonography were mediastinal masses/lymph nodes (n = 5). The remaining evaluations were performed for esophageal stricture (n = 1), unexplained abdominal pain (n = 1), unexplained abdominal pain with celiac axis block (n = 1), and perirectal fluid collection (n = 1). EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) was performed in 12 (30%) cases and established the correct diagnosis in 9 (75%). EUS-guided fine-needle injections for celiac axis block were performed in 2 (5%) cases. The procedure was successful in all patients, and no complications related to sedation, EUS, or EUS-FNA were encountered.
Limitation:
Retrospective study.
Conclusion:
EUS and EUS-FNA are feasible and safe and have a significant impact on the management of pediatric GI, pancreatobiliary, and mediastinal diseases.
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