Prevalence and significance of periduodenal venous collaterals in patients evaluated for pancreaticobiliary disorders by endosonography.

Background And Study Aims: The prevalence of periduodenal venous collaterals detected by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in patients undergoing evaluation for pancreaticobiliary disorders, and their influence on the success of transduodenal fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of solid pancreatic masses is not known.

Patients And Methods: Records for all consecutive patients who underwent EUS for pancreaticobiliary disorders over a 14-month period were reviewed. EUS was carried out by a single endosonographer using a radial echo endoscope.