How accurate is fine-needle biopsy in malignant neoplasia of the pancreas?
L. Parsons Jr and C. H. Palmer
Department of Surgery, St Joseph Hospital, Albuquerque, NM.
The accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreas in 77
patients was studied, in 47 by the percutaneous route and in 30 under
direct vision at the time of operation. Seventeen (49%) of 35 pancreatic
malignant neoplasms were detected percutaneously and 13 (65%) of 20 at
surgery. The predictive value of a positive test was 100% in both
situations. The sensitivity of the percutaneous test was 57%; the
sensitivity of the test done at operation rose to 72%. No complications
were encountered. The test, when positive, can be relied on in surgical
decision making but is of limited value when negative. Our findings are
essentially similar to those of others who have reported their experience
in the literature.
