Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography for Staging of Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

This research proposal aims to compare the accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Computed Tomography (CT) in pre-operative staging of pancreatic cancer. Quantitative research design will be employed with a sample of 120 subjects to determine the accuracy of both the methods. Numerous studies and researches show that a combination of multiple imaging modalities is often used in the staging and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. However, the techniques that are most widely and commonly used in this regard include computed tomography (CT), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Many researchers have also proved the accuracy percentage of all these imaging modalities. Thus, this research proposal primarily focuses on finding out which imaging is accurate of all, and which one has the greatest diagnostic accuracy. After analyzing and studying the results provided by numerous researches in this regard, it has been proved that trans-abdominal ultrasound is able to provide a diagnostic accuracy of 82 to 86% and a sensitivity of 86 to 89% for diagnosing malignant pancreatic head tumours. Moreover, the diagnostic yield cannot be improved by combining the two modalities in equivocal cases. In addition, the comparison of these modalities proves that EUS or Endoscopic Ultrasound is superior to CT (Computed Tomography) when it comes to the detection of small tumours.

Table of Contents

1.0Introduction5

1.1Rational, Aims and Objectives5

1.2Literature Review6

1.2.1 Summary10

1.3 Hypothesis11

2.0Methodology13

2.1Research Design13

2.1.1 Justification for Choosing the Research Design13

2.2 Sampling design13

2.2.1 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria14

2.2.2 Symptoms of pancreatic cancer14

2.3 Method for data collection and research instrumentation15

2.3.2 Instrumentation16

2.3.3 Study Design16

2.3.4 Endoscopic Ultrasound technique17

2.3.5 Multidetector Computed Tomography technique17

2.3.6 Surgery18

2.3.7 Reliability and Validity19

2.4Data Analysis20

2.4.1 Generating Data20

2.4.2 Analysing Data21

2.4.3 Hypothetical Data23

2.4.4. Criteria for the Detection, Staging, and Resectability of Pancreatic Cancer23

2.5 Ethical Issues23

2.5.1 Informed Consent24

2.5.2 Confidentiality24

2.5.3 High Quality Examinations25

2.5.4 Communication25

3.0 Conclusion and findings26

References27

Appendix I: Introduction to Patients36

Appendix II: Form for collecting the data37

Appendix III: Letter to ethics committee38

Appendix IV: Letter to superintendent39

Appendix V: Informed Consent Sheet40

Appendix VI: Medical Questionnaire43

Appendix VII: Attachments for DATA analysis50

Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography for Staging of Pancreatic Cancer

Introduction

The main rational behind this study is that with an increasing issue about the accuracy of the methods used for staging of pancreatic cancer, it is needed to find out and examine that what is the most accurate method among Endoscopic Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography. Moreover, a large number of recent researches have examined that Computed Tomography itself results in causing cancer, and the technique is less accurate than Endoscopic Ultrasonography. So, this research's main rational is to analyze the related studies, and to draw conclusions accordingly. The primary aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and Computed Tomography (CT) for the staging, detection, and resectability of pre-operative pancreatic cancer.

Rational, Aims and Objectives

The aim of this research is to determine the best methods of detecting pancreatic tumour by comparing Endoscopic Ultrasound and Computed Tomography. The research will evaluate the diagnostic yield of the two methods under different stages to determine the most accurate ...