INTRADUCTAL PAPILLARY NEOPLASMS OF THE PANCREAS - DIAGNOSIS BY ENDOSCOPIC PANCREATIC BIOPSY

Intraductal papillary neoplasms of the pancreas (IPN) are rare tumors, distinct from other pancreatic duct cell carcinomas both in terms of papillary polyp formation in the main pancreatic duct and their favora ble prognosis. In the present study, endoscopic pancreatic biopsy (EPB ) under fluoroscopic control was employed in three cases of IPN to obt ain a tissue diagnosis prior to surgery. There were no complications a nd all biopsy specimens were adequate for histopathological evaluation . In our experience, EPB is a simple, safe and effective method, yield ing sufficient material for preoperative tissue diagnosis of pancreati c tumors, especially in the case of IPN.