All EUS procedures were performed by two experienced endosonographers (F.V.B. and P.M.R.), each possessing more than a decade of experience in EUS practice and having completed over 1000 procedures. The procedures were carried out using Olympus® GF-UCT180 and Olympus® GF-UC140 curvilinear echoendoscopes, coupled with the Olympus® EU-ME2 ultrasound processor. All interventions were performed under anesthesiologist-guided for sedation. Cystic lesions were punctured using 19-gauge or 22-gauge FNA needles (Expect™ Slimline, Boston Scientific Corp., Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) either through the stomach for lesions situated in the body or tail, or via the duodenum for lesions located in the head of the pancreas. For patients with more than one cystic lesion, only the larger was considered for analysis.
Glucose was measured using both an on-site and a laboratory approach. On-site glucose measurement was performed using a conventional glucometer (GlucoMen® Aero 2K, A. Menarini, Firenze, Italy), with a range between 20-600 mg/dL. All samples with glucose levels < 10 mg/dL were recorded and analyzed as 19 mg/dL. In patients with an appropriate cyst fluid volume, the values of CEA levels were determined.
Glucose was measured using both an on-site and a laboratory approach. On-site glucose measurement was performed using a conventional glucometer (GlucoMen® Aero 2K, A. Menarini, Firenze, Italy), with a range between 20-600 mg/dL. All samples with glucose levels < 10 mg/dL were recorded and analyzed as 19 mg/dL. In patients with an appropriate cyst fluid volume, the values of CEA levels were determined.