Needle-based confocal endomicroscopy for the characterisation of pancreatic cystic tumours - INAHTA Brief

The purpose of this review is to assess the benefit of adding confocal endomicroscopy to the diagnostic strategy in two different scenarios. Two assessment questions were thus selected during the definition phase:

• Question No. 1: What is the diagnostic added value of needle-based confocal endomicroscopy for the characterisation of pancreatic cystic lesions (diameter ≥ 2 cm) of undetermined malignant potential before the result of the needle biopsy analysis?
• Question No. 2: What is the diagnostic added value of needle-based confocal endomicroscopy for the characterisation of pancreatic cystic lesions (diameter ≥ 2 cm) of undetermined malignant potential after the result of the cytological and biochemical analysis and tumour marker assay?