Background/Aims: The role of cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level in differentiating mucinous pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) is controversial. We investigated the role of cyst fluid CEA in differentiating low-risk (LR)-intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) from high-risk (HR)-IPMNs and LR-mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs). Methods: This was a retrospective study of 466 patients with PCLs who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needleaspiration over a 7-year period. On histology, low-grade dysplasia and intermediate-grade dysplasia were considered LR, whereas high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma were considered HR. Results: Data on cyst fluid CEA levels were available for 50/102 mucinous PCLs with definitive diagnoses. The median CEA (range) levels were significantly higher in HR cysts than in LR cysts (2,624 [0.5–266,510] ng/mL vs. 100 [16.8–53,445]ng/mL, p=0.0012). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was 0.930 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5–0.8; p<0.001) for differentiating LR-IPMNs from LR-MCNs. The AUROC was 0.921 (95% CI, 0.823–1.000; p<0.001) for differentiating LR-IPMNs from HR-IPMNs. Both had a CEA cutoff level of >100ng/mL, with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. Conclusions Cyst fluid CEA levels significantly vary between LR-IPMNs, LR-MCNs, and HR-IPMNs. A CEA cutoff level of >100ng/mL had a 100% NPV in differentiating LR-IPMNs from LR-MCNs and HR-IPMNs.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided gastrojejunostomy is a minimally invasive method for the management of gastric outlet obstruction. Conventionally, a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is used to create an anastomosis. However, LAMS is expensive and not widely available. In this report, we described a tubular fully covered self-expandable metallic stent (T-FCSEMS) for this purpose. Methods: Twenty-one patients (15 men [71.4%]; median age, 66 years; range, 40–87 years) were included in this study. A total of 19 malignant (12 pancreatic, 6 gastric, and 1 metastatic rectal cancer) and 2 benign cases were observed. The proximal jejunum was punctured with a 19 G needle. The stomach and jejunum walls were dilated with a 6 F cystotome, and a 20×80 mm polytetrafluoroethylene T-FCSEMS (Hilzo) was deployed. Oral feeding was initiated after 12 to 18 hours and solid foods after 48 hours. Results: The median procedure time was 33 minutes (range, 23–55 minutes). After two weeks, 19 patients tolerated oral feeding. In patients with malignancy, the median survival time was 118 days (range, 41–194 days). No serious complications or deaths occurred. All patients with malignancy tolerated oral food intake until they expired. Conclusions T-FCSEMS is safe and effective. This stent should be considered as an alternative to LAMS for gastric outlet obstruction.