Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transrectal biopsies of pelvic tumors

The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration of Pelvic Lesions: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a potentially valuable tool for the diagnosis of pelvic lesions. The aim of this meta‑analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of pelvic lesions.

METHODS

We performed a computerized search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Science Citation Index, through March 2023. The main outcome measures examined in the meta-analysis were sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy.

RESULTS

We evaluated 22 trials that used surgical pathology or imaging follow-up results as the reference standard. The studies comprised 844 patients. The cumulative sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 94%, 100%, 100%, 89%, and 96%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, the prospective studies revealed the cumulative sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 91%, 100%, 100%, 85%, and 93%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we provide evidence that EUS-FNA is a qualitative diagnostic technique with high sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and accuracy. However, its NPV is slightly low, which does not exclude the risk of a missed diagnosis, and more randomized controlled trials or prospective studies are still needed in the future. EUS-FNA is effective and feasible for pelvic space-occupying lesions. This technique has high clinical application value for pelvic lesions.

Value of transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in endoscopy negative biopsy patients with rectal lesions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the value of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy in endoscopy negative biopsy patients with rectal lesions.

METHODS

150 endoscopy negative biopsy result rectal lesions adopted the transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. Based on whether the patients received contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination or not before the biopsies, all enrolled cases were divided into TRUS guided group and contrast-enhanced TRUS (CE-TRUS) guided group, and the safety and diagnostic performances were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

We obtained adequate specimens in the majority of cases (98.7%,148/150); There were no complications identified in our study. 126 patients received contrast-enhanced TRUS examination before biopsy to evaluate vascular perfusion and necrosis. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of all biopsies were 89.1%, 100%,100%, 70.4%, and 91.3% respectively; The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for TRUS-guided biopsy and CE-TRUS guided biopsy were 73.7%, 100%,100%, 50%,79.2% and 92.1%,100%,100%,75%,93.6% separately; The increase in correct diagnoses was significant (p < 0.05) between TRUS guided biopsy and CE-TRUS guided biopsy.

CONCLUSION

TRUS-guided biopsy is a reliable procedure that can be augmented by endoscopic biopsy techniques if the biopsy yields negative results. CE-TRUS might assist in the location of the biopsy and decrease sampling errors.

Utility of Forward-View Echoendoscopy for Transcolonic Fine-Needle Aspiration of Extracolonic Lesions: An Institutional Experience

Background/Aims

Non-invasive tissue sampling from the lower intra-abdominal and pelvic cavity is challenging. The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in this situation is not well-established because of the limitations of the curved linear-array echoendoscopy-EUS for colonic insertion. The aim of this study was to report our institutional experience of transcolonic EUS-FNA using forward-viewing therapeutic linear echoendoscopy-EUS (FV-EUS) in combination with fluoroscopic guidance.

Methods

Medical records of 13 patients who underwent transcolonic EUS-FNA of extracolonic lesions using FV-EUS in combination with fluoroscopic guidance at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan from June 2015 to November 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Using FV-EUS under fluoroscopic guidance, the FNA procedure could be performed successfully in all patients (100% technical success), with a median procedure time of 31 minutes. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA for detecting malignant lesions in this study were 91%, 100%, and 92%, respectively. There were no adverse events associated with the EUS-FNA procedure.

Conclusions

FV-EUS in combination with fluoroscopic guidance is an easy, safe, and effective technique for FNA of extracolonic lesions in the lower abdomen.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNA of pelvic lesions: A large single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Pelvic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (PEUS-FNA) of rectal or perirectal lesions is safe, minimally invasive, and well tolerated. It provides valuable information, which can greatly influence patient management. Herein, the authors present what to their knowledge is the largest series to date of PEUS-FNA.

METHODS

PEUS-FNA specimens were retrieved from the archives of the study institution from January 2001 to March 2015. Only patients with solid pelvic lesions were examined. The cytopathology findings, immunohistochemistry, corresponding histology, and clinical data were collected. For analysis of accuracy, atypical or suspicious results were classified as "negative." The sensitivity and specificity of PEUS-FNA were calculated in a subset of patients with available surgical pathology.

RESULTS

A total of 127 cases meeting the current study criteria were obtained from patients who underwent PEUS-FNA at the study institution between January 2001 and March 2015. The mean age of the patients was 60 years, and 53% were female. Pelvic lesions were comprised of 72% masses and 28% lymph nodes, with a mean mass diameter of 27.38 mm (range, 5-100 mm). PEUS-FNA was positive for malignancy in 45% of cases, atypical/suspicious in 4.7% of cases, and negative for malignancy in 50.3% of cases. Surgical pathology was available for 44 patients. PEUS-FNA demonstrated 89.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, a diagnostic accuracy of 93.2%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 84.2%. No complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

PEUS-FNA is safe and effective for the investigation of pelvic lesions. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:836-41. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Biopsy for Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Pelvic Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Preoperative diagnosis of pelvic lesions remains challenging despite advances in imaging technologies. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided biopsy is an effective diagnostic modality for sampling the digestive tract and surrounding areas. However, a meta-analysis summarizing the diagnostic efficacy of EUS-guided biopsy for pelvic lesions has not been published.

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the utility of EUS-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of pelvic lesions.

METHODS

Articles were identified via structured database search; only studies where pelvic lesions were confirmed by surgery or clinical follow-up were included. Data extracted were selected with strict criteria. A fixed-effects model was used to estimate the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). A summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) was also constructed.

RESULTS

Ten studies containing a total of 246 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity of EUS-guided biopsy for differential diagnosis of pelvic masses was 0.89 (95% CI 0.83-0.94), and the specificity was 0.93 (95% CI 0.86-0.97). The area under the SROC was 0.9631. The combined PLR, NLR, and DOR were 11.75 (95% CI 5.90-23.43), 0.12 (95% CI 0.07-0.20), and 100.06 (95% CI 37.48-267.10) respectively. There is potential presence of publication bias in this meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis shows that EUS-guided biopsy is a powerful tool for differentiating pelvic masses with a high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, it is a safe procedure with low rate of complication, although more high-quality prospective studies are required to be done.

Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasonography: Assessment of safety and prevention of complications

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has gained wide acceptance as an important, minimally invasive diagnostic tool in gastroenterology, pulmonology, visceral surgery and oncology. This review focuses on data regarding risks and complications of non-interventional diagnostic EUS and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). Measures to improve the safety of EUS und EUS-FNB will be discussed. Due to the specific mechanical properties of echoendoscopes in EUS, there is a low but noteworthy risk of perforation. To minimize this risk, endoscopists should be familiar with the specific features of their equipment and their patients’ specific anatomical situations (e.g., tumor stenosis, diverticula). Most diagnostic EUS complications occur during EUS-FNB. Pain, acute pancreatitis, infection and bleeding are the primary adverse effects, occurring in 1% to 2% of patients. Only a few cases of needle tract seeding and peritoneal dissemination have been reported. The mortality associated with EUS and EUS-FNB is 0.02%. The risks associated with EUS-FNB are affected by endoscopist experience and target lesion. EUS-FNB of cystic lesions is associated with an increased risk of infection and hemorrhage. Peri-interventional antibiotics are recommended to prevent cyst infection. Adequate education and training, as well consideration of contraindications, are essential to minimize the risks of EUS and EUS-FNB. Restricting EUS-FNB only to patients in whom the cytopathological results may be expected to change the course of management is the best way of reducing the number of complications.

Successful endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the pelvic lesion through the sigmoid colon

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a useful modality when the target is a lymph node located in the mediastinum, perigastric area or perirectum. Although it is difficult to carry out EUS-FNA of the colon using an oblique view linear scope, we report two cases of successful EUS-FNA of the lesions via the proximal sigmoid colon using a recently available new convex type EUS scope. Case 1 was a 77-year-old Japanese woman noted to have multiple lymph node swelling in the para-aortic area and in the pelvis. Case 2 was a 60-year-old Japanese woman noted to have a large mass in the left lower abdomen. In case 1, oral EUS showed no lymph node swelling. In both cases, EUS with forward-viewing radial echoendoscope was carried out via the anus, and multiple lymph-node swelling or a large mass was observed near the proximal sigmoid colon. In the EUS-FNA for these cases, we used a new convex-type EUS scope that has an oblique view, but with a wide-angled optical device giving a view similar to a forward one. EUS-FNA was successfully carried out on the lesions. The pathological specimen revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in case 1 and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in case 2.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and trucut biopsy in gastroenterology - An overview

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biopsies are reliable, safe and effective techniques in obtaining samples for cytological or histological examinations either as a primary procedure or in cases where other biopsy techniques have failed. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA), as well as endoscopic ultrasound-guided trucut biopsy (EUS-TCB), has proven to be of significant value in the diagnostic evaluation of benign and malignant diseases, as well as in staging of the malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and of adjacent organs. The diagnostic yield of EUS-guided biopsies depends on site, size and characteristics of target tissues as well as technical and procedural factors (type of needle, biopsy technique and material processing). Other weighting factors include expertise, training and interaction between the endosonographer and cytopathologist. Rapid on-site cytological evaluation has proven to be successful in optimising the diagnostic efficiency of EUS-FNA. A sensible alternative is to collect specimens for histological and immunohistochemical investigations in addition to the cytological smears. EUS-FNA using a 22-gauge needle is successful in harvesting core biopsies in approximately three out of four cases. Therefore, the use of 19-gauge needles for EUS-FNA or EUS-TCB may only be necessary in selected cases. The reproducibility of cytopathological diagnosis among pathologists with special experience in assessing material obtained by EUS-guided biopsies is very high. False-positive diagnosis of malignancy in EUS-guided biopsy is rare. False-negative diagnosis appears with variable frequency depending on the target tissue, technical factors and expertise of the endosonographer and cytopathologist. There are numerous challenges and pitfalls in the differential diagnostic classification of benign and malignant lesions. These problems are related to the characteristics of samples obtained by EUS-guided biopsy, as well as to the multiple diagnoses with similar or overlapping cytological or histological characteristics. The high prognostic and therapeutic relevance of the cytopathological diagnoses resulting from EUS-guided biopsy calls for a shared responsibility of an endosonographer and a cytopathologist.

Transanorectal interventions

Over the past few decades, advances in modern imaging technology have enabled less invasive approaches to diagnose and treat disease. In the field of image-guided techniques, this has seen the common adaptation of needle biopsy and catheter drainage into clinical practice. In this article we review the most common applications of transanorectal techniques. As nearly all these techniques are performed under ultrasound guidance in dayto-day practice, the review focuses almost exclusively on ultrasound-enabled techniques.

Use of transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in the diagnosis of pelvic malignancies

PURPOSE

To describe our experience with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided needle biopsy of pelvic malignancies.

METHODS

Eleven patients with clinical suspecion of advanced malignant pelvic tumor were referred to our institution with a history of unsuccessful CT-guided biopsy, although a target lesion was demonstrated on pelvic CT or MRI. Cholin-PET and FDG-18-PET were also obtained individually in each patient. TRUS was performed using a commercially available three-dimensional scanner. Biopsies were performed with an 18G biopsy gun. In 9 of 11 patients, biopsy was successfully performed under analgesia, whereas general anesthesia was required in the other 2 patients.

RESULTS

The lesions were identified with TRUS in all patients, and biopsies were taken successfully under TRUS guidance. In all patients, the harvested material was of excellent quality and was adequate for definitive pathological diagnosis. Pathological results included 6 nodal metastases from transitional cell carcinoma, 1 case of lymph node metastasis from prostate cancer, 1 paravesical recurrence of cervical cancer, 1 metastasis from cecal cancer, and 2 cases of paravesical metastasis of a gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

TRUS-guided biopsy is a useful technique for the diagnosis of pelvic malignancies. It is faster and less expensive than CT-guided biopsy, and in most cases sufficient material can be harvested for a definitive pathological diagnosis.

Review of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology

This review, based on the Hennepin County Medical Center experience and review of the literature, vastly covers the up-to-date role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluating tumorous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs. Emphasis is given to the tumoral and nodal staging of esophageal, pulmonary, and pancreatic cancer. This review also discusses technical, pathological, and gastroenterologic aspects and the role of the pathologist and endosonographer in the evaluation of these lesions, as well as the corresponding FNA cytology and differential diagnosis.

Endorectal ultrasound-directed biopsy: a useful technique to detect local recurrence of rectal cancer

AIMS

This study assesses the value of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS)-directed biopsy in detecting local recurrence of rectal cancer.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients undergoing ERUS by a single surgeon for surveillance after treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma. Lesions suggestive of local recurrence underwent ERUS-assisted core-needle biopsy (EAB) via a proctoscope after precise ERUS localization or direct ERUS-guided biopsy (EGB) via a B&K Medical probe.

RESULTS

From 1991 to 2003, 525 patients underwent 2,490 surveillance ERUS. Of these patients, 51 underwent 62 biopsy sessions: 36 EGB and 26 EAB. The mean age of patients was 67.2 years (range 38-93 years); 22 (43%) were female. Only 11 patients (22%) had undergone prior radical resection of their primary tumor. No patient experienced a complication from the biopsies despite five being anticoagulated. Of 39 patients whose cancer recurrence was documented during follow-up, 32 (82%) were diagnosed at the initial biopsy session, and in five (13%), recurrence was detected only with ERUS. The combined sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EAB and EGB in detecting recurrence was 83, 100, and 87%, respectively. In 26 patients with local recurrence, resection was performed with curative intent.

CONCLUSION

ERUS with biopsy is useful in detecting local recurrence after treatment of rectal cancer. It is safe, with a high diagnostic yield. It may be particularly useful in patients at higher risk for local recurrence (i.e., after endocavitary radiation and local excision) and may allow early detection of local recurrence, thereby permitting attempts at curative resection.