Shear-wave elastography versus Strain elastography with histogram analysis in solid pancreatic lesions: a head-to-head comparison

Aims To assess the diagnostic value of shear wave endoscopic ultrasound elastography (SWM) as compared to Strain elastography histogram endoscopic ultrasound (SH) in solid pancreatic lesions.

Methods Our prospective study was started in February 2022 in two hospitals. We recruited patients with solid pancreatic masses >2cm in diameter identified at a CT (computer tomography) scan who were referred for EUS. Patients were assessed with strain histogram (SH, three measurements), followed by EUS-SWM (at least 3 measurements). The final diagnosis was based on surgery, EUS tissue acquisition results and 6 months follow up.

Results We evaluated 92 patients with solid pancreatic lesions , mean age 66±10 years, 56 men. The final diagnosis was pancreatic adenocarcinoma (65 patients), benign lesions( 10 cases), neuroendocrine tumors (8 cases), 9 other malignancies. The mean values observed for SH and SWM were 31,21 and 2,53m/s for benign masses, 33,95 and 2,27m/s for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 49,21 and 2,26m/s for neuroendocrine tumors. No significant differences were observed between groups or between malign and benign masses (p-values > 0.25).

Conclusions In this prospective study we found no significant difference between SE-EUS and EUS-SMW. Further research is needed on this topic in order to face the challenges in standardize the EUS-SMW procedure in pancreatic lesions.

EUS needles in the pancreas, 20/04/2023, 10:00 – 11:00 Ecocem

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023