Accuracy of Cyst Fluid Glucose for the On-site Diagnosis of Mucinous Pancreatic Cysts

Mucinous pancreatic cysts are considered pre-cancerous. The standard evaluation of pancreatic cysts usually includes endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The cyst fluid sample from EUS-FNA is routinely sent for lab analysis (carcinoembryonic antigen-CEA) and cytology assessment. The diagnosis of a mucinous cyst is usually based on those results.

For study participants undergoing EUS-FNA, a small portion of the cyst fluid will be analyzed for glucose levels using a bedside glucometer in addition to the routine analyses. A low cyst fluid glucose level may correlate with a diagnosis of a mucinous cyst. The primary aim of this study will be to determine if a low cyst fluid glucose level correlates with standard laboratory cyst fluid analysis (CEA) in establishing a diagnosis of a mucinous pancreatic cyst.

Secondary aims of this study will be: (1) comparing the accuracy of cyst fluid glucose to CEA level among subjects with a proven diagnosis of a mucinous cyst (based on surgery or cytopathology findings), and (2) determining the optimal cyst fluid glucose level that correlates to a proven diagnosis of a mucinous cyst (based on subjects who undergo surgery or have a diagnosis based on cytopathology).