Percutaneous Pancreatic Biopsies-Still an Effective Method for Histologic Confirmation of Malignancy. 
To determine the accuracy and safety of the percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic mass lesions.  Over a 12-year period clinical parameters, imaging, pathologic results, and complications were assessed in patients undergoing percutaneous biopsies pancreatic lesions.  One hundred fifty-three patients underwent pancreatic biopsy.  The preferred modality for performing the biopsy was ultrasound (93%, n=143) followed by computerized tomography (7%, n=10).  Histologic diagnosis was achieved in 147 patients, of which 3 (2%) were benign and 144 (94%) were malignant.  Complications included a single death from overwhelming hemorrhage and 2 patients with morbidity (hematoma and cerebrovascular accident).  The sensitivity and specificity of percutaneous biopsies was 90% and 95%, respectively.  Ultrasound-guided and computerized tomographic-guided percutaneous biopsy of pancreatic lesions is an effective and safe method to confirm or refute malignancy in suspicious pancreatic lesions.  Endoscopic ultrasound-guided Tru-Cut may have the added advantage of avoiding the risk of peritoneal soiling.