Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biopsy using a Franseen needle design: Initial assessment

A prospective study on the histological evaluation of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy with a 19-gauge Franseen needle

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a 19-gauge Franseen needle for autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

METHODS

Twenty patients suspected of having type 1 AIP were prospectively enrolled and underwent EUS-FNB with a 19-gauge Franseen needle. Their data were compared with those of historical controls: a total of 29 type 1 AIP patients had EUS-FNB with a 22-gauge Franseen needle.

RESULTS

Specimens suitable for histological evaluation were obtained from 19 of the 20 patients (95%), and the median total tissue area was 11.9 mm2. The histological diagnosis rate of AIP was 65% (95% CI: 43.2%-82%). Adverse events were observed in three patients (15%), and a switch to 22-gauge needles occurred during transduodenal puncture in two patients. Compared to those punctured with 22-gauge needles, patients punctured with 19-gauge needles had greater prevalence of each characteristic feature of lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis, but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNB using a 19-gauge Franseen needle demonstrated favorable performance for the histological diagnosis of AIP and allowed for large tissue samples, potentially facilitating pathological diagnosis. However, during transduodenal puncture, maneuverability is reduced; therefore, the needle may need to be selected according to the puncture site.

Consensus statements on endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition. Guidelines from the Asian Endoscopic Ultrasound Group

OBJECTIVES

This consensus was developed by the Asian EUS Group (AEG), who aimed to formulate a set of practice guidelines addressing various aspects of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA).

METHODS

The AEG initiated the development of consensus statements and formed an expert panel comprising surgeons, gastroenterologists, and pathologists. Three online consensus meetings were conducted to consolidate the statements and votes. The statements were presented and discussed in the first two consensus meetings and revised according to comments. Final voting was conducted at a third consensus meeting. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was adopted to define the strength of the recommendations and quality of evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 20 clinical questions and statements regarding EUS-TA were formulated. The committee recommended that fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles be preferred over conventional fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needles for EUS-TA of subepithelial lesions. For solid pancreatic masses, rapid on-site evaluation is not routinely recommended when FNB needles are used. For dedicated FNB needles, fork-tip and Franseen-tip needles have essentially equivalent performance.

CONCLUSION

This consensus provides guidance for EUS-TA, thereby enhancing the quality of EUS-TA.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition Using Fork-Tip Needle for Subepithelial Lesions: A Single-Center Validation Study

BACKGROUND

The cutoff value for stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE) in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) has high diagnostic sensitivity when a Franseen needle is employed for upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) (stereomicroscopically visible white core [SVWC] ≥ 4 mm).

AIM

We aimed to determine whether high diagnostic sensitivity could be obtained when EUS-TA was performed using a Fork-tip needle.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients were prospectively registered. Patients underwent EUS-TA using a Fork-tip needle for upper gastrointestinal SELs at Kitasato University Hospital between January and November 2022. Punctures were made twice using the needle, and SOSE was conducted for each specimen. Blood and physical examination were performed to assess adverse events. Pathological diagnosis was made using hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemical staining. Statistical comparisons were completed using Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

The diagnostic rate of EUS-TA was 100% (21/21 cases). The final diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 17 (81.0%) and leiomyoma in 4 (19.0%) patients. SOSE was conducted on all 42 punctures, and the tissue sampling rate was 100% (42/42 punctures). Specimens with SVWC ≥ 4 mm were collected in 97.6% punctures (41/42 punctures) and the diagnostic sensitivity for these specimens was 100% (41/41 punctures), which is significantly higher (p < 0.0238) compared to the absence of cutoff value (diagnostic sensitivity of 0%). No EUS-TA-related adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-TA combined with SOSE for upper gastrointestinal SEL using a fork-tip needle had a high diagnostic rate, and the cutoff value of SVWC ≥ 4 mm had high diagnostic sensitivity.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy using a three-prong asymmetry tip needle for pancreatic tumors and peridigestive tract lesions: Retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition is vital for diagnosing pancreatic and peridigestive tract lesions. A new three-prong asymmetry tip needle has been developed for this procedure. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the diagnostic ability, tissue collection volume, and procedural adverse events of the three-prong asymmetry tip needle for solid pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions.

METHODS

We analyzed the data of 58 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition using a three-prong asymmetry tip needle between August 2022 and April 2023 at a single care center.

RESULTS

The tissue collection rate was 91.4% with 89.7% accuracy, 89.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 25% negative predictive value. No significant differences in collection rates or diagnostic performance were observed based on the target organ, puncture route, or lesion size. Using our original assessment method, the average histological core tissue score was 3.1 ± 0.8, whereas the blood contamination volume was 2.5 ± 0.8. Only one of 58 patients (1.7%) developed a pancreatic fistula of moderate severity as an adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

The three-prong asymmetry tip needle demonstrated good diagnostic capability and adequate sample volume with safety for pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions.

The history of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration: development and progress

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an important diagnostic technique to accurately diagnose diseases originating from organs near the gastrointestinal tract. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has improved the histopathological diagnosis. EUS-FNA has been further developed over a long period of 40 years. The history of the development of endosonographic scopes, ultrasonographic observation systems, puncture needles, and puncture methods will provide a springboard for future development.

Feasibility of comprehensive genomic profiling using endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition with a 22-gauge Franseen needle

Aim

Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test for solid tumors is now increasingly utilized in clinical practice, especially in pancreatobiliary cancer, and specimens obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) are often submitted for tissue-based CGP test. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of EUS-TA using a 22-gauge Franseen needle for the CGP test.

Methods

Consecutive patients with solid tumors who underwent EUS-TA using a 22-gauge Franseen needle, and whose tissue samples were pre-checked for suitability for CGP test, were included in this single-center, retrospective analysis. The success rates of appropriate sample collection for CGP evaluated by pathologists (1st quality control) and CGP test (2nd quality control) were evaluated. In addition, The EUS-TA slides were evaluated for the tissue area and tumor area content, using the image software.

Results

A total of 50 cases, with 78% of pancreatic cancer, were included in the analysis. A median of 3 passes of EUS-TA were performed with an adverse event rate of 4%. The success rates for 1st and 2nd quality control for CGP tests were 86% and 76%, respectively. The image analyses suggested EUS-TA specimen did not always fulfill CGP test criteria, with 18% of tissue area ≥16 mm2 and 38% of tumor area content ≥20%, even in cases with successful CGP tests. The suction method yielded a significantly larger amount of DNA but without a significant difference in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated the feasibility of EUS-TA using a 22-gauge Franseen needle for CGP test.

22-gauge Co-Cr versus stainless-steel Franseen needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition in patients with solid pancreatic lesions

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) using Franseen needles is reportedly useful for its high diagnostic yield. This study compared the diagnostic yield and puncturing ability of EUS-TA using 22-gauge cobalt-chromium (CO-Cr) needles with those of stainless-steel Franseen needles in patients with solid pancreatic lesions.

METHODS

Outcomes were compared between the 22-gauge Co-Cr Franseen needle (December 2019 to November 2020; group C) and stainless-steel needle (November 2020 to May 2022; group S).

RESULTS

A total of 155 patients (group C, 75; group S, 80) were eligible. The diagnostic accuracy was 92.0% in group C and 96.3% in group S with no significant intergroup differences (p=0.32). The rate of change in the operator (from training fellows to experts) was 20.0% (15/75) in group C and 7.5% (6/80) in group S. Stainless-steel Franseen needles showed less inter-operator difference than Co-Cr needles (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Both Co-Cr and stainless-steel Franseen needles showed high diagnostic ability. Stainless-steel Franseen needles are soft and flexible; therefore, the range of puncture angles can be widely adjusted, making them suitable for training fellows to complete the procedure.

Randomized trial comparing 15 vs 5 actuations per pass during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for specimen acquisition of solid pancreatic lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There is currently no established number of actuations (to-and-fro movements) per pass during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). This study aimed to compare 15 vs 5 actuations in terms of adequate specimen acquisition of solid pancreatic lesions.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, crossover, noninferiority, single-center study, eligible patients underwent EUS-FNB using a 22-G Franseen needle with both 15 and 5 actuations per pass, performed in a randomized order, from October 2020 to December 2021. The acquired specimens from each pass were separately evaluated. The primary outcome was the accuracy of the histological diagnosis per pass. The noninferiority margin was set as 15%.

RESULTS

Data from 85 patients were analyzed, revealing pancreatic cancer in 73 patients. The accuracy of the histological diagnosis in the 15 and 5 actuations groups was 83.5% (71/85) and 77.7% (66/85), respectively. The difference was -5.8% (95% confidence interval -15.6-3.4), which does not indicate noninferiority of the five actuations group. Among the secondary outcomes, the 15 actuations group was significantly superior to the five actuations group in terms of the obtained core tissues (1.88 [interquartile range 0.89-3.64] mm2 vs 1.66 [0.83-2.71] mm2 [P = 0.031]) and subjective evaluation of cytology specimens for pancreatic cancer (69.0% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The noninferiority of five actuations in the accuracy of the histological diagnosis was not confirmed, and 15 actuations are preferred during EUS-FNB for solid pancreatic lesions.

Current status of molecular diagnostic approaches using liquid biopsy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, and developing an efficient and reliable approach for its early-stage diagnosis is urgently needed. Precancerous lesions of PDAC, such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), arise through multiple steps of driver gene alterations in KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, or GNAS. Hallmark mutations play a role in tumor initiation and progression, and their detection in bodily fluids is crucial for diagnosis. Recently, liquid biopsy has gained attention as an approach to complement pathological diagnosis, and in addition to mutation signatures in cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, and extracellular vesicles have been investigated as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers. Integrating such molecular information to revise the diagnostic criteria for pancreatic cancer can enable a better understanding of the pathogenesis underlying inter-patient heterogeneity, such as sensitivity to chemotherapy and disease outcomes. This review discusses the current diagnostic approaches and clinical applications of genetic analysis in pancreatic cancer and diagnostic attempts by liquid biopsy and molecular analyses using pancreatic juice, duodenal fluid, and blood samples. Emerging knowledge in the rapidly advancing liquid biopsy field is promising for molecular profiling and diagnosing pancreatic diseases with significant diversity.

Comparison between three types of needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition of pancreatic solid masses: a multicenter observational study

It is debatable which needle has clear superiority of diagnostic performance in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle biopsy (FNB) of solid pancreatic masses. This study aimed to compare the performance of three needles and determine the variables that affect diagnostic accuracy. From March 2014 to May 2020, 746 patients with solid pancreatic masses who underwent EUS-FNB using three types of needles (Franseen needle, Menghini-tip needle, and Reverse-bevel needle) were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model was used to identify factors related to diagnostic accuracy. There were significant differences between the groups regarding the procurement rate of the histologic and optimal quality cores (Franseen vs. Menghini-tip vs. Reverse-bevel: 98.0% [192/196] vs. 85.8% [97/113] vs. 91.9% [331/360], P < 0.001 and 95.4% [187/196] vs. 65.5% [74/113] vs. 88.3% [318/360], P < 0.001, respectively). The sensitivity and accuracy using histologic samples were 95.03% and 95.92% for Franseen, 82.67% and 88.50% for Menghini-tip, and 82.61% and 85.56% for Reverse-bevel needles, respectively. In direct comparison between the needles using histologic samples, the Franseen needle showed significantly superior accuracy than the Menghini-tip (P = 0.018) and Reverse-bevel needles (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size ≥ 2 cm (odds ratio [OR] 5.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.40-8.47, P < 0.001) and fanning technique (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.00-2.86, P = 0.047) were significantly associated with an accurate diagnosis. EUS-FNB using the Franseen needle enables the acquisition of a larger and more adequate histologic core tissue and achieves an accurate histological diagnosis when using the fanning technique.

Objective evaluation of the resistance forces of 22-gauge EUS-FNA and fine-needle biopsy needles

Background and Objectives

EUS-guided tissue acquisition is routinely performed for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organ lesions. Recently, various types of needles have been developed. However, how the shape of the needle tip and echoendoscope tip angle affect puncturability, has not been clarified. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the puncturability of several 22-gauge EUS-FNA and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) needles, and to evaluate the effects of the needle tip shape and echoendoscope tip angle on tissue puncturability.

Materials and Methods

The following six major FNA and FNB needles were evaluated: SonoTip® ProControl, EZ Shot 3 Plus, Expect™ Standard Handle, SonoTip® TopGain, Acquire™, and SharkCore™. The mean maximum resistance force against needle advancement was evaluated and compared under several conditions using an echoendoscope.

Results

The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone was higher for the FNB needles than for the FNA needles. The mean maximum resistance force of the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle demonstrated that the resistance forces were between 2.10 and 2.34 Newton (N). The mean maximum resistance force increased upon increases in angle of the tip of echoendoscope, particularly in the FNA needles. Among the FNB needles, SharkCore™ had the lowest resistance force (2.23 N). The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone, the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle, and the needle in the echoendoscope with full-up angle for SonoTip® TopGain were all similar to that of Acquire™.

Conclusion

SonoTip® TopGain had similar puncturability to Acquire™ in all tested situations. Regarding the puncturability, SharkCore™ is most suitable for insertion into target lesions, when tight echoendoscope tip angle is necessary.

The role of EUS elastography-guided fine needle biopsy in the histological diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions: a prospective exploratory study

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Endoscopic ultrasound elastography-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-EG-FNB) for the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions. EUS-EG images were classified into heterogeneous and homogeneous groups. For the heterogeneous group, EUS-FNB was separately performed in both hard areas and soft areas. Only samples obtained during the first two passes (hard/soft areas) were used to compare the diagnostic accuracy as well as the quality and quantity of the specimens. We investigated the association of EUS-EG findings using strain histogram analysis with the histological findings. Fifty-five patients were enrolled including 25 patients with heterogeneous group. The homogeneous group had significantly lower mean strain value (hard) lesions. The adequate sampling rates from hard and soft areas were 88 and 92%, respectively (P = 0.6374). Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy and the quality and quantity of the histological core between hard and soft areas showed no significant differences. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases, the proportion of fibrous stroma in the core tissue was significantly correlated with the elasticity of the region. (R² = 0.1226: P = 0.0022) EUS-EG may reflect tissue composition in pancreatic tumors, however, EUS-EG did not affect either the quality and quantity of the tissues obtained.

Clinical Trial Registry No: UMIN-000033073.

Comparison of diagnostic performances of slow-pull suction and standard suction in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy for gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors

Background/Aims

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is integral to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) subepithelial tumors (SETs). The impact of different EUS-FNB tissue sampling techniques on specimen adequacy and diagnostic accuracy in SETs has not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic outcomes of slow-pull (SP) and standard suction (SS) in patients with GI SETs.

Methods

In this retrospective comparative study, 54 patients were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed for location and size of the target lesion, FNB needle type/size, technical order, specimen adequacy, diagnostic yield, and adverse events. The acquisition rate of adequate specimens and diagnostic accuracy were compared according to EUS-FNB techniques.

Results

The mean lesion size was 42.6±36.4 mm, and most patients were diagnosed with GI stromal tumor (75.9%). The overall diagnostic accuracies of the SP and SS techniques were 83.3% and 81.5%, respectively (p=0.800). The rates of obtaining adequate core tissue were 79.6% and 75.9%, respectively (p=0.799). No significant clinical factors affected the rate of obtaining adequate core tissue, including lesion location and size, FNB needle size, and final diagnosis.

Conclusions

SP and SS had comparable diagnostic accuracies and adequate core tissue acquisition for GI SETs via EUS-FNB.

Franseen Needles May Be Promising for Improving the Sampling Adequacy of EUS-FNA for Subepithelial Lesions

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful in diagnosing subepithelial lesions (SELs), and adequate tissue sampling is necessary to differentiate between benign and malignant diseases to determine therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to evaluate sampling adequacy and diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA for SELs with Franseen needles. This retrospective study enrolled 130 patients who underwent EUS-FNA with a 22-gauge needle for SELs from January 2010 to March 2021. We compared sampling adequacy and predictive factors influencing the sampling adequacy of EUS-FNA for SELs between Franseen and conventional needles. The sampling adequacy rates were 95.0% (38/40) with Franseen needles and 76.7% (69/90) with conventional needles (p = 0.011). The mean number of punctures with Franseen needles (2.80) was significantly less than that with conventional needles (3.42) (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the use of Franseen needles (p = 0.029; odds ratio [OR], 5.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18−23.36) was an independent factor influencing the sampling adequacy. Compared to conventional needles, the Franseen needle could play a vital role in accurately diagnosing SELs by yielding better sampling adequacy and reducing the number of passes.

The value of endoscopic ultrasonography for differential diagnosis in obstructive jaundice of the distal common bile duct

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive jaundice is a common clinical disease of great significance; however, diagnosing it according to etiology, especially in patients with distal obstructive jaundice is difficult. The development of endoscopic ultrasonography has improved diagnostic methods. Endoscopic ultrasonography not only improves the accuracy of conventional endoscopic ultrasound technology in etiological diagnosis, but also offers several special endoscopic ultrasound technologies for diagnosing distal obstructive jaundice of the common bile duct. What's more, endoscopic ultrasonography can be used to treat distal obstructive jaundice of common bile duct.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the diagnostic value and applications of endoscopic ultrasonography for obstructive jaundice of the distal common bile duct.

EXPERT OPINION

This article summarizes the value of endoscopic ultrasonography in the etiological diagnosis, relevant treatment applications of distal obstructive jaundice and the limitations of endoscopic ultrasonography in some etiologies due to the lack of clear comparison with other imaging methods. We also provide new data for the future research direction of endoscopic ultrasonography in distal obstructive jaundice.

Multicenter prospective study of the efficacy of stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition in patients with pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

In sample isolation processing by stereomicroscopy (SIPS), a technique used to assess the quality of specimens collected during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA), the cutoff value of stereomicroscopically visible white core (SVWC) (≥11 mm) indicates high diagnostic sensitivity. However, the procedure of SIPS is complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, we devised the stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE), a new rapid assessment method that is simpler than SIPS and only determines if the SVWC cutoff value is attained. We aimed to examine the usefulness of SOSE in a multicenter, prospective setting.

METHODS

Seventy patients from multiple institutions with solid pancreatic masses suspected to be pancreatic cancer were included. EUS-TA was performed using a 22-gauge Franseen needle. SVWCs were measured on-site using stereomicroscopy. The primary outcome was the sensitivity of SVWC cutoff value in EUS-TA with SOSE.

RESULTS

The total number of punctures was 214 and SOSE was performed on 150 punctures. The SVWC cutoff value collection rate was 100% per lesion, with 80% in the first pass, 79% in the second pass, and 78% per puncture in all passes. The median time taken to determine the SVWC cutoff value for SOSE was 47 s. The sensitivity of the SVWC cutoff value was 93.2% for histology and 96.6% for cytology + histology. The per-lesion accuracy of pathological diagnosis reached the highest level (98.6%) at the second puncture.

CONCLUSIONS

SOSE showed high diagnostic sensitivity and may be a new rapid assessment method for the diagnosis of malignant pancreatic cancer using EUS-TA.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic sampling for the histopathological diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), which is characterized by pancreatic enlargement and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct, is difficult to differentiate from malignancy. The irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct, which can be detected via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, is a characteristic feature of AIP; however, distinguishing between localized AIP and pancreatic cancer based on pancreatic duct imaging is difficult. This study overviews the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic sampling for the histopathological diagnosis of AIP. Recent enhancements in needle biopsy methodologies and technologies have contributed to improvement in the diagnostic efficacy of this technique. The guidance provided in this study for the histological diagnosis of AIP is anticipated to further advance in the histopathological diagnosis of AIP using EUS-guided pancreatic sampling.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Biopsy Using 22G Franseen Needles without Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Diagnosis of Intraabdominal Masses

Background: The impact of rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is widely debated. This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNB in the absence of ROSE in abdominal masses. Methods: Patients with abdominal masses undergoing EUS-FNB using 22-gauge Franseen needles and the slow-pull technique were prospectively enrolled in this study. Macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE) was performed without ROSE. Results: 100 patients were recruited between 2018 and 2020. Seventy-eight patients had neoplasms, and twenty-two patients had benign diseases. Common diagnoses included pancreatic cancer (n = 27), mesenchymal tumors (n = 17), and metastatic tumors (n = 14). The mean mass size was 3.9 ± 2.6 cm. The median pass number was three. Eighty-nine percent had adequate specimens for histologic evaluation. Malignancy increased the odds of obtaining adequate tissue (OR 5.53, 95% CI, 1.36–22.5). For pancreatic cancer, FNB had a sensitivity of 92.3%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%, and an AUROC of 0.96. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and AUROC for mesenchymal cell tumors were 100%, 95.9%, 84.2%, 100%, and 0.98, respectively. For metastatic tumors, FNB was 100% sensitive and specific, with an AUROC of 1.00. There were no procedure-related complications. Conclusions: 22-gauge Franseen needles with the slow-pull technique and MOSE without ROSE provide excellent diagnostic performances for malignant lesions. Thus, MOSE should be implemented in real-world practice, and ROSE can be obviated when EUS-FNB is employed.

Efficacy of the Franseen needle for diagnosing gastrointestinal submucosal lesions including small tumors

Background and Objectives:

Several studies have demonstrated that EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is useful for diagnosing gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (GI SELs). However, there is limited evidence regarding the use of Franseen needles during EUS-FNB for patients with GI SELs. In addition, the optimal approach for diagnosing small SELs is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle was effective for diagnosing GI SELs, including small lesions.

Methods:

Between January 2013 and January 2020, 150 consecutive patients with GI SELs underwent EUS-FNA/FNB to achieve a histological diagnosis. Eighty-six consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle were compared to 64 patients who underwent EUS-FNA using a conventional needle.

Results:

The diagnostic yield was significantly higher using a Franseen needle than using a conventional needle (85% vs. 75%, P = 0.006). Furthermore, in cases with SELs that were <20 mm, the diagnostic yield was significantly higher using a Franseen needle than using a conventional needle (81% vs. 45%; P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that obtaining a sufficient diagnostic sample was independently predicted by Franseen needle use (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–6.3; P = 0.01) and tumor size of >20 mm (adjusted odds ratio: 3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–8.2; P = 0.006).

Conclusion:

Even when attempting to diagnose small GI SELs, EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle appears to provide a more efficient acquisition of true histological core tissue than using a conventional needle.

A comparison between 25-gauge and 22-gauge Franseen needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of pancreatic and peripancreatic masses: a randomized non-inferiority study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) are the current standard of care for sampling pancreatic and peripancreatic masses. Recently, a 22G EUS-FNB needle with Franseen geometry was developed, and this device was also introduced in a 25G platform. We compared the performance of the 25G and 22G Franseen needles for EUS-guided sampling of pancreatic and peripancreatic solid masses.

METHODS

We conducted a parallel-group randomized non-inferiority trial at a tertiary-care center from November 2018 to May 2019. The primary outcome was the quality of the histologic core assessed using the Gerke score. The optimal histologic core is indicated by a Gerke score of 4 or 5, which enables optimal histologic interpretation. The overall diagnostic accuracy and adverse event rate were also evaluated.

RESULTS

140 patients were enrolled and randomized (1:1) to the 25G and 22G groups. Tissue acquisition by EUS-FNB was successful in all patients. The optimal histologic core procurement rate was 87.1 % (61/70) for the 25G needle vs. 97.1 % (68/70) for the 22G; difference -10 % (95 % confidence interval -17.35 % to -2.65 %). High quality specimens were more frequently obtained in the 22G group than in the 25G group (70.0 % [49/70] vs. 28.6 % [20 /70], respectively; P < 0.001). The overall diagnostic accuracy did not differ between the groups (97.4 % for 25G vs. 100 % for 22G).

CONCLUSIONS

The 25G Franseen needle was inferior to the 22G needle in histologic core procurement. Therefore, for cases in which tissue architecture is pivotal for diagnosis, a 22G needle, which procures relatively higher quality specimens than the 25G needle, should be used.

Imaging diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis using endoscopic ultrasonography

The diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is challenging and should be achieved through the comprehensive evaluation of clinical, radiological, serological, and pathological evidence, as there is currently no single reliable diagnostic modality. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can reveal pancreatic parenchymal and ductal features in much more detail than any other existing imaging modality. In this article, we focused on three applications of EUS, i.e., conventional EUS imaging, EUS elastography (EUS-EG), and contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS), for the diagnosis of AIP. Diffuse hypoechoic areas, diffuse enlargement, bile duct wall thickening, and peripancreatic hypoechoic margins on conventional EUS are characteristic features of AIP, and the frequencies of these findings are significantly higher in AIP than in pancreatic cancer (PC). EUS-EG of the pancreatic parenchyma in AIP showed homogenous stiffness and that the elasticity of the pancreas may change after steroid therapy. CEH-EUS revealed focal or diffuse iso-enhancement in most AIP cases and hypo-enhancement in most PC cases. However, some AIP cases show a contrast enhancement pattern similar to that of PC. It should be noted that EUS findings of AIP may differ depending on its stage or disease activity. Differentiation from PC has become an increasingly important issue in the process of diagnosing AIP, and EUS, including elastography and contrast enhancement, could be a promising imaging modality for this purpose.

A prospective multicenter study of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy using a 22-gauge Franseen needle for pancreatic solid lesions

BACKGROUND AND AIM

While encouraging data of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using a 22-gauge Franseen needle have been reported, large-scale data of per pass and quantitative analyses are still lacking.

METHODS

This was a multicenter prospective study of EUS-FNB using the 22-gauge Franseen needle for a pancreatic solid lesion. Cytological and histological analyses per pass were evaluated and semi-quantitative analyses were performed on core tissue and blood contamination. Primary end-point was diagnostic accuracy per session. Prognostic factors were analyzed for diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, core tissue, and blood contamination.

RESULTS

A total of 629 passes were performed in 244 cases at 14 centers between 2018 and 2019. The median tumor size was 29 mm, and the puncture was transduodenal in 43%. The median pass number was 2. Diagnostic accuracy per session, at a first pass, and per pass were 93%, 90%, and 88%. In 198 cases with pancreatic cancer, diagnostic sensitivity per session, at a first pass, and per pass were 94%, 89%, and 89%. The rates of core tissue score of 4 and blood contamination score of 3 were 50% and 47%. The adverse event rate was 1.6%. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size ≤20 mm (odds ratio [OR] of 0.46, P = 0.03), transduodenal puncture (OR of 0.53, P = 0.04), and suction (OR of 0.16, P = 0.01) were associated with lower diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

The EUS-FNB using the 22-gauge Franseen needle for pancreatic solid lesions showed high per pass and overall diagnostic accuracy.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition for the histopathological diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a disease concept that originated in Japan. It is characterized by diffuse pancreatic enlargement and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. Although the usefulness of the histological diagnosis of AIP using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) has been reported, enhanced diagnostic performance is expected with improvements in tissue collection methods and fine-needle techniques. Guidance for establishing the tissue diagnosis of AIP has been developed and is useful for histological evaluation. Histopathological diagnosis by EUS-FNA/FNB is expected to play a central role in AIP diagnosis in the future.

Advanced Endoscopic Techniques for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer and Management of Biliary and GastricOutlet Obstruction

Following high-quality imaging studies for staging, endoscopic ultrasound examination fine needle aspiration/biopsy is the preferred modality for tissue diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with metal stent placement is used for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. Metal stents can be placed in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer in whom surgery is going to be delayed. For palliation of gastric outlet obstruction, endoscopic enteral stenting is often selected because of its less invasiveness. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction or gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction are emerging less invasive techniques as compared with palliative surgery.

Optimal number of needle punctures in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for gastric subepithelial lesions without rapid on-site evaluation

PURPOSE

The utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) for gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) has been reported. In this study, we examined the optimal number of needle punctures during EUS-FNB for gastric SELs without rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). The factors that allowed for a single needle puncture to arrive at the correct diagnosis were also analyzed.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who underwent EUS-FNB to evaluate gastric SELs between April 2015 and September 2020; 51 patients with 57 gastric SELs were enrolled. The optimal number of needle punctures was determined when additional needle passes did not increase diagnostic sensitivity by more than 10%. Factors allowing for only a single needle puncture to arrive at the correct diagnosis were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

EUS-FNB resulted in a definitive final diagnosis in 48 of 57 lesions (84%). Lesions in the gastric body (odds ratio [OR] 6.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75-21.6; P < 0.01) and lesions punctured using a 22G Franseen needle (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.07-12.3; P = 0.04) were independent factors that allowed for only a single needle puncture to arrive at the correct diagnosis. The optimal number of needle punctures for lesions using a 22G Franseen needle in the gastric body and other lesions was two and three, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The optimal number of needle punctures in EUS-FNB for gastric SELs without ROSE was two or three, depending on the location and type of needle used.

Effectiveness of Menghini-Type Needles for Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Masses

BACKGROUND

Cutting needles are thought to be effective as biopsy needles. A few types of cutting needles are available for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), and the Menghini-type needle is an end-type cutting needle.

AIMS

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the results of EUS-FNA using a Menghini-type needle (needle M) versus a conventional needle (needle S).

METHODS

The main eligibility criteria were as follows: patients with a pancreatic mass referred for EUS-FNA, ≥ 20 years old, and a performance status < 4. The primary outcome was the sample quality. The secondary outcomes were factors associated with the sample quality, diagnostic accuracy, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients were enrolled in this study. The sample quality for total puncture with needle M (92.8%) was significantly higher than that with needle S (81.4%) (p = 0.0305). The tumor size (p = 0.033) and type of needle (p = 0.031) were significant factors associated with adequate tissue collection in univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio [OR] 2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-6.54; p = 0.027 for tumor size, and OR 2.93; 95% CI 1.23-8.21; p = 0.0153 for type of needle). The diagnostic accuracy of each needle was 88.7% (86/97) with needle M and 73.2% (71/97) with needle S. Adverse events occurred in 2 of the 97 patients (0.02%).

CONCLUSION

A Menghini-type needle was able to obtain core tissue for histology more effectively than a conventional aspiration needle.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

UMIN registration number of 000020668.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition by 22-Gauge Franseen and Standard Needles for Solid Pancreatic Lesions

Background/Aims

Recently, a three-plane symmetric needle with Franseen geometry was developed for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). In this retrospective study, tissue acquisition per pass was compared between 22-gauge Franseen FNB and standard fine needle aspiration (FNA) needles in patients with solid pancreatic lesions.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB for solid pancreatic lesions between October 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively studied. The tissue acquisition rate and the diagnostic performance per session, per pass, and at first pass were compared.

Results

A total of 663 passes (300 by the FNB needle and 363 by the standard FNA needle) were performed in 154 patients (71 FNB and 83 FNA). The tissue acquisition rate per session and at first pass in the FNB and FNA groups was 100% and 95% (p=0.13) and 87% and 69% (p=0.007), respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that among the patients, EUS-FNB (odds ratio, 3.07; p=0.01) was associated with a higher first-pass tissue acquisition rate. While the tissue acquisition rate reached a plateau after the 4th pass with FNA, it reached a plateau after the 2nd pass with FNB. Among the 129 malignant cases, the histological tissue acquisition rate per session was similar (100% and 94%), but the sensitivity by histology alone per session was higher for FNB than for FNA (93% and 73%, p<0.01).

Conclusions

The results of our retrospective analysis indicated that compared with a standard FNA needle, a 22-gauge Franseen FNB needle was associated with a higher first-pass tissue acquisition rate.

Diagnostic Value of EUS-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Gastric Linitis Plastica with Negative Endoscopic Biopsy

Due to the tendency of gastric linitis plastica (GLP) to cause extensive submucosal infiltration, a superficial endoscopic biopsy sometimes yields no evidence of malignancy, hindering definite diagnosis. The present study was a single-center retrospective analysis of 54 consecutive patients diagnosed with GLP between 2016 and 2020 to evaluate EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy outcomes in patients with negative endoscopic biopsy findings. A pathological GLP diagnosis was achieved by endoscopic biopsy in 40 patients (74.1%). EUS-FNA biopsy with a 22-gauge needle was performed in 13 of the remaining 14 patients, and GLP diagnosis was confirmed in 10 patients, with a median of three needle passes. The remaining four patients were laparoscopically diagnosed with GLP. The diagnostic ability of EUS-FNA biopsy for GLP was 76.9%, and EUS-FNA biopsy contributed to GLP diagnosis in 18.5% (10/54) of all cases. None of the 13 patients exhibited EUS-FNA biopsy-related adverse events. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed an absence of superficial ulcerations as a predictor of false-negative endoscopic biopsy findings in patients with GLP. These results suggest EUS-FNA biopsy as a minimally invasive and safe alternative diagnostic modality for GLP in cases where conventional endoscopic biopsy fails to verify malignancy, although prospective studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings.

Comparison of Histological Sample Volumes among Various Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy Needles

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) enables easy and accurate pathological assessment. Here, we compared and assessed the area of samples on glass slides for three needle types: a 19-gauge Franseen needle (Acquire, Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA), a 22-gauge Franseen needle, and a 19-gauge fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needle (EZ Shot 3 Plus; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Among patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, with a ≥20 mm tumor located in the pancreatic body and tail, and who underwent EUS-FNA or FNB between June 2018 and March 2020, 10 were randomly selected to test each needle. The areas of histological tissue and blood clot samples were measured using the BZ-X800 imaging software (Keyence Corporation, Osaka, Japan). Baseline patient characteristics and pathological sample data showed no significant differences among the needles. The 19-gauge Franseen needle obtained significantly more histological tissue samples than the 19-gauge conventional needle (p = 0.010) and 22-gauge Franseen needle (p = 0.008). Conversely, there was no significant difference between the 19-gauge conventional needle and 22-gauge Franseen needle (p = 0.838) in this regard. The 19-gauge Franseen needle could collect more samples than the other needles, contributing to giving a more precise pathological diagnosis and more information, including genomic profiling.

[Preoperative diagnostics of pancreatic neoplasms]

While patients with clinico-radiologically diagnosed resectable pancreatic cancer usually undergo surgery without preoperative cytological or histopathological diagnostics, patients with inoperable tumors or ambiguous findings in imaging often undergo EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB (endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy). In many cases, this concerns pancreatic cystic lesions, which can range from benign inflammatory pseudocysts to invasive pancreatic cancer emerging from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) or mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs). However, the evaluation of EUS-FNA material can be especially hampered by contamination with gastric or enteric cells or mucin, degenerative changes, or low or even no cellularity of the sample. Next-generation-sequencing-based molecular analyses, especially of cystic lesions, can significantly increase the accuracy of EUS-FNA diagnostics of the pancreas. Interpretation of morphological and molecular data considering each case's clinico-radiological context is crucial. While reliable molecular markers for the detection of mucinous and specific nonmucinous pancreatic neoplasms already exist, establishing valid markers for the detection of high-grade lesions is an urgent future goal.

The First Case of Metastatic Pancreatic Leiomyosarcoma Derived from the Urinary Bladder Diagnosed Using an Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Biopsy

We herein report the first case of metastatic pancreatic leiomyosarcoma derived from the urinary bladder diagnosed by an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) in a 65-year-old woman. The patient had undergone total cystectomy for bladder leiomyosarcoma. Four years thereafter, a nodule was observed in her left lung on chest computed tomography. Suspecting primary lung cancer, pulmonologists at our hospital recommended a thoracoscopic lung biopsy, which the patient refused. Five years post-cystectomy, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed enlargement of the left lung nodule and a new mass in the pancreatic head. She was referred to our department for the pathological diagnosis of a pancreatic head mass by an EUS-FNB. The EUS-FNB yielded adequate pancreatic tissue for an immunohistochemical analysis. A diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic lesion originating from the urinary bladder was made. In atypical pancreatic tumors, the utilization of an EUS-FNB and immunohistochemical analysis can help establish an accurate diagnosis.

Histopathological comparison of aspiration and biopsy needles in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition in patients with subepithelial lesions

BACKGROUND

Information on whether a fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needle can improve histopathological specimen quality or the amount of core tissue collected in the diagnosis of subepithelial lesions (SELs) remains insufficient. In this study, we aimed to compare the procedure outcomes and adequacy of histopathological specimens of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and FNB needles in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) using sample isolation processing by stereomicroscopy (SIPS) in patients with SELs.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective comparison of SEL cases registered in two previously conducted prospective studies. Of 61 cases, we identified 56 cases of SELs that involved the muscularis propria layer. Of these, 27 patients who underwent EUS-TA using a 22-gauge FNA needle between July 2016 and December 2017, and 29 patients who underwent the procedure using a 22-gauge FNB needle between March 2018 and January 2019 were included in the FNA and FNB group, respectively.

RESULTS

Patient background characteristics did not differ between the groups. The technical success rate was 100% in both groups. The median adequacy score was significantly higher in the FNB group than in the FNA group (P < .01). The histological diagnosis showed no significant difference in the accuracy rate between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In EUS-TA using the SIPS procedure to target SELs derived from the muscularis propria layer, FNB needles collect more core tissues and significantly improve histopathological specimen quality compared with FNA needles. When combined with SIPS, a high tissue diagnosis rate may be obtained regardless of the type of puncture needle used.

Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration and Biopsy Device for Lymphadenopathy

Background

Accurate diagnosis of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy is important for determining the appropriate treatment and prognosis. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with a conventional needle compared to endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with a Franseen needle for diagnosing lymphadenopathy.

Methods

Patients who underwent EUS-FNA or EUS-FNB for mediastinal or abdominal lymphadenopathy between July 2013 and August 2020 were enrolled in the study. The outcomes between EUS-FNA patients (July 2013 to January 2017; 22-gauge conventional needle; Group A) and EUS-FNB patients (February 2017 to August 2020; 22-gauge Franseen needle; Group B) were compared.

Results

A total of 154 patients (Group A: 83; Group B: 71) were analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy (differentiating between malignant and benign lesions) was 88.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79.2–93.3%) in Group A and 95.8% (95% CI, 88.3–98.8%) in Group B. Group B had high diagnostic accuracy, but there was no difference between the groups (p = 0.14). Group B had significantly fewer passes (median 2, interquartile range (IQR): 2-4) than Group A (median 3, IQR: 3-4) (p < 0.001). No procedural adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusions

Although the diagnostic accuracy between the groups was not statistically significant, EUS-FNB with a Franseen needle provided high diagnostic accuracy and required fewer passes to establish a diagnosis. Thus, EUS-FNB is useful for diagnosing lymphadenopathy.

Comparison of fine-needle aspiration and fine-needle biopsy devices for endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of solid lesions: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition is extensively used, but the optimal sampling device is still a matter of debate. We performed meta-analyses on studies comparing fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles, and studies comparing different FNB needles.

METHODS

Online databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of at least 50 cases with a suspected solid pancreatic or nonpancreatic lesion that compared FNA with FNB needles. Outcome measures included diagnostic accuracy, adequacy, number of passes, presence of tissue cores, and adverse events. We also performed meta-regression analysis on the effect of FNB design on diagnostic accuracy. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool.

RESULTS

18 RCTs comparing FNA with FNB needles were included. FNB provided a higher pooled diagnostic accuracy (87 % vs. 80 %; P = 0.02) and tissue core rate (80 % vs. 62 %; P = 0.002), and allowed diagnosis with fewer passes (P = 0.03), in both pancreatic and nonpancreatic lesions. A total of 93 studies were included comparing different FNB devices. Pooled diagnostic accuracy was higher for forward-facing bevel needles than for the reverse bevel needle. In this analysis, study quality was low and heterogeneity was high (I2  = 80 %).

CONCLUSION

FNB outperformed FNA when sampling pancreatic and nonpancreatic lesions. Forward-facing bevel FNB needles seemed to outperform the reverse bevel FNB needle, but the low quality of evidence prevents us from making strong recommendations on the optimal FNB design.

Randomized controlled trial comparing a conventional needle and a novel needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided histology of peripancreatic masses

INTRODUCTION

Cytological study of samples obtained by Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) allows for recognition of clear signs of malignant transformation. However, certain neoplasms can be difficult to diagnose without histological analysis. Recently, a novel EUS-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) needle was developed to increase tissue acquisition. This study set out to investigate the usefulness of this novel EUS-FNB needle (NEFN) in terms of obtaining a proper histology compared with a conventional EUS-FNA needle (CEFN).

METHODS

This investigation was a prospective, single-blind, randomized study in a single academic hospital. Primary outcome was the acquisition rate of an appropriate and sufficient specimen for histologic assessment. Secondary outcomes were diagnostic yield of peripancreatic masses using a CEFN and a NEFN. Furthermore, we assessed the feasibility of determining K-ras mutation status according to needle type.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 56 consecutive patients. Technical success rates were 96.6% (28/29) for the CEFN and 100% (27/27) for the NEFN (P = 1.000). No complications occurred during or after the procedure in either needle group. An adequate sample for cytologic diagnosis was obtained in 89.7% (26/29) of patients in the CEFN group vs 96.3% (26/27) of patients in the NEFN group (P = .612). For histologic diagnosis, a sample with a biopsy adequacy score of 2 or more was obtained in 41.4% (12/29) of CEFN-acquired samples vs 88.9% (24/27) of NEFN-acquired samples (P < .001). K-ras mutation analysis using histologic specimens was possible in 13 (44.8%) CEFN-acquired samples and 25 (92.6%) of NEFN-acquired samples. This difference was significant (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that the NEFN is an effective and reliable alternative compared to a CEFN in terms of tissue acquisition rate and quality of histologic sampling.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Sampling for Personalized Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal solid malignancy, and the number of patients with pancreatic cancer is increasing. Systemic chemotherapies are often ineffective for such patients, and there is an urgent need for personalized medicine. Unlike other types of cancer, personalized treatments for pancreatic cancer are still in development. Consequently, pancreatic cancer is less sensitive to anticancer drugs and is often refractory to common treatments. Therefore, advances in personalized medicine for pancreatic cancer are necessary. This review examined advances in personalized medicine for pancreatic cancer, including the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling. EUS-guided sampling is widely used for diagnosing pancreatic tumors and is expected to be applied to sampled tissues. Additionally, there has been an increase in clinical research using EUS-guided sampling. The combination of precision medicine using genomic testing and pharmacological profiles based on high-throughput drug sensitivity testing using patient-derived organoids is expected to revolutionize pancreatic cancer treatment.

Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition Using a 20-Gauge Menghini Needle with a Lateral Forward Bevel and a 22-Gauge Franseen Needle: A Single-Center Large Cohort Study

Background/Aims

Several fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles are available for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition. However, there is disagreement on which type of needle has the best diagnostic yield. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and safety of two commonly used EUS-FNB needles.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNB between June 2016 and March 2020 in our hospital. Two types of needles were evaluated: a 20-gauge Menghini needle with a lateral forward bevel and a 22-gauge Franseen needle. Rapid on-site evaluation was performed in all the cases. A multivariate analysis was performed to clarify the negative predictive factors for obtaining a histological diagnosis. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the diagnostic yields of these two needles.

Results

We analyzed 666 patients and 690 lesions. The overall diagnostic rate of histology alone was 88.8%, and the overall adverse event rate was 1.5%. Transduodenal access and small lesions (≤2 cm) were identified as negative predictive factors for obtaining a histological diagnosis. After propensity score matching, 482 lesions were analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy rates of histology in the M and F needle groups were 89.2% and 88.8%, respectively (p=1.00).

Conclusions

Both the needles showed high diagnostic yield, and no significant difference in performance was observed between the two.

Diagnosis of Pancreatic Solid Lesions, Subepithelial Lesions, and Lymph Nodes Using Endoscopic Ultrasound

Currently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become widely accepted and has considerable advantages over computed tomography (CT) and other imaging modalities, given that it enables echostructure assessment in lesions with <1 cm diameter and permits high resolution imaging. EUS-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) provides consistent results under ultrasound guidance and has been considered more effective compared to CT- or ultrasound-guided lesion biopsy. Moreover, complication rates, including pancreatitis and bleeding, have been extremely low, with <1% morbidity and mortality rates, thereby suggesting the exceptional overall safety of EUS-TA. The aggressive use of EUS for various lesions has been key in facilitating early diagnosis and therapy. This review summarizes the diagnostic ability of EUS for pancreatic solid lesions, subepithelial lesions, and lymph nodes where it is mainly used. EUS has played an important role in diagnosing these lesions and planning treatment strategies. Future developments in EUS imaging technology, such as producing images close to histopathological findings, are expected to further improve its diagnostic ability. Moreover, tissue acquisition via EUS is expected to be used for precision medicine, which facilitates the selection of an appropriate therapeutic agent by increasing the amount of tissue collected and improving genetic analysis.

Diagnostic Process Using Endoscopy for Biliary Strictures: A Narrative Review

The diagnostic process for biliary strictures remains challenging in some cases. A broad differential diagnosis exists for indeterminate biliary strictures, including benign or malignant lesions. The diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures requires a combination of physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging modalities, and endoscopic procedures. Despite the progress of less invasive imaging modalities such as transabdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopy plays an essential role in the accurate diagnosis, including the histological diagnosis. Imaging findings and brush cytology and/or forceps biopsy under fluoroscopic guidance with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are widely used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of biliary strictures. However, ERCP cannot provide an intraluminal view of the biliary lesion, and its outcomes are not satisfactory. Recently, peroral cholangioscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration have been reported as useful for indeterminate biliary strictures. Appropriate endoscopic modalities need to be selected according to the patient's condition, the lesion, and the expertise of the endoscopist. The aim of this review article is to discuss the diagnostic process for indeterminate biliary strictures using endoscopy.

Use of suction during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy of solid pancreatic lesions with a Franseen-tip needle: a pilot comparative trial

Background and study aims  The utility of suction during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine-needle biopsy (FNB) using Franseen-tip needle remains unclear and has not been evaluated in randomized trials. We designed a randomized crossover trial to compare the diagnostic yield during EUS-FNB using a 22G Franseen-tip needle, with and without standard suction. Patients and methods  Consecutive patients undergoing EUS-guided sampling of solid pancreatic lesions were recruited. A minimum of two passes were performed for each case: one with 20-mL syringe suction (S+) and another without (S-). The order of passes was randomized and the pathologist blinded. The endpoints were the diagnostic yield and the impact of blood contamination in the diagnosis. Results  Fifty consecutive patients were enrolled. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 84 %. A diagnosis of malignancy was obtained in 70 samples: 36 in the S+group and 34 in the S-group. A statistically significant difference was seen in the diagnostic accuracy (S+: 78 % vs. S-: 72 %, P  < 0.01) and blood contamination (S+: 68 %; S-: 44 %, P  < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio and positive likelihood ratio for S+vs. S-samples were 76.6 % vs. 73.9 %, 100 % vs. 100 % and 0.23 vs. 0.26, NA vs NA, respectively. A negative impact of blood contamination in the overall diagnostic yield wasn't seen, even in samples where suction was used (OR 0.36, P  = 0.15) Conclusions  We found a higher diagnostic yield with the use of suction. It was associated with a higher degree of sample blood contamination that did not affect the diagnostic performance.

Evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for preoperative pancreatic solid lesions

OBJECTIVES

Obtaining an accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) for preoperative pancreatic solid lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed all patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-FNB to evaluate solid pancreatic lesions preoperatively at our center between July 2013 and June 2020. We enrolled 71 patients who underwent EUS-FNA using a 22 G conventional needle (FNA group) and 34 patients who underwent EUS-FNB using a 22 G Franseen needle (FNB group). Overall, 105 patients were analyzed. We employed propensity-matched analysis and adjusted the confounders.

RESULTS

No procedural adverse events were encountered. Both groups showed no significant differences in the procedure time, technical success rate, and rate of operator changes from trainee to expert. Regarding diagnostic accuracy, the FNB group (88.2%; 30/34) was higher but not significantly different from the FNA group (85.3%; 29/34) (p > .99). Furthermore, the FNB group (median 2, IQR;2-3) had a significantly lower number of punctures than the FNA group (median 3, IQR; 2-4) (p = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The FNB needle provides higher diagnostic accuracy and requires significantly fewer punctures than conventional needles even at facilities with no available rapid on-site evaluation. Thus, using the FNB needle can be useful for preoperative pancreatic solid lesions.

Extremely Late Recurrence of Ovarian Carcinoma Diagnosed by an Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Biopsy

We herein report a case of recurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinoma 41 years after the primary surgery that was diagnosed by an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). The differential diagnosis based on the imaging findings was difficult. We performed an EUS-FNB and compared the EUS-FNB specimen to the surgical specimen that had been resected in the primary surgery for ovarian carcinoma 41 years earlier, including immunohistochemical staining. Finally, we made a definitive diagnosis of extremely late recurrence of ovarian carcinoma of the retroperitoneum. An EUS-FNB enables an accurate histological diagnosis by obtaining a sample that is large enough to perform immunohistochemical staining.

Prospective study of EUS-guided tissue acquisition with a 20G core biopsy needle with a forward bevel for solid pancreatic mass

There is a growing need for tissue collection for immunostaining and genetic testing. Recently, several fine-needle biopsy needles are commercially available for endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition.This prospective historical controlled study evaluates a 20G core biopsy needle with a forward bevel for solid pancreatic masses larger than 15 mm in diameter. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of histological diagnosis. The secondary endpoints included technical success rate, sample adequacy for histology, cytological diagnostic accuracy, and adverse events.Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled between January and October 2017. We achieved technical success in all cases regardless of the puncture sites or the endosonographer's experience. The final diagnoses were neoplasms in 67 patients (95.7%; pancreatic cancer in 65 patients, neuroendocrine neoplasm in 1, and malignant lymphoma in 1) and benign lesions in 3 patients (4.3%; autoimmune pancreatitis in 2 patients and mass-forming pancreatitis in 1). The obtained specimens were adequate for histological evaluation in all cases and the histological accuracy was 91.4% (95% confidence interval, 82.3-96.8%, P < .05) with the sensitivity and specificity of 91.0% and 100%, respectively. The cytological diagnostic accuracy was 95.7% and all patients were accurately diagnosed by combining cytological and histological examinations. As for adverse events, an asymptomatic needle fracture occurred in 1 case (1.4%).This 20G core biopsy needle with a forward bevel showed a high accuracy of histological diagnosis for solid pancreatic masses.

Effectiveness of introducing a 20-gauge core biopsy needle with a core trap in EUS-FNA/B for diagnosing pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/B) is a standard method for pathological diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesions. The EchoTip ProCore 20G® (PC20), a 20-gauge biopsy needle with a forward-bevel core trap, has been available in Japan since 2015.

METHODS

We compared the efficacy of the PC20 with that of the EchoTip ProCore 22G® (PC22) and Acquire 22G® (AC22) in EUS-FNA/B for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. This retrospective study included 191 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS-FNA/B using the PC20, PC22, or AC22 at our facility from April 2013 to October 2019. We investigated the patients' clinical characteristics and the diagnostic accuracy and safety of each needle.

RESULTS

A sufficient stroke length of puncture was secured in all patients. The maximum length under EUS was shorter with the AC22 (22.1 ± 2.2 mm) than PC20 (30.6 ± 0.7 mm, p < 0.01) and PC22 (30.3 ± 0.8 mm, p < 0.01). The histological accuracy was 96.4% with the PC20 but only 58.8% with the PC22 (adjusted p (p-adj) < 0.0001) and 75.0% with the AC22 (p-adj = 0.06). The diagnostic accuracy of the combination of histology and cytology was 96.4% with the PC20, while it was 72.1% with the PC22 (p-adj < 0.0001) and 91.7% with the AC22 (p-adj > 0.99). One patient (0.9%) in the PC20 group developed mild pancreatitis, but no adverse events occurred with the other needles.

CONCLUSIONS

The PC20 showed better diagnostic capability than the PC22. The diagnostic efficacy was similar between the PC20 and AC22. The high histological accuracy of the PC20 could be advantageous for lesions in which histological assessment is critical.

Accuracy of visual on-site evaluation (Vose) In predicting the adequacy of Eus-guided fine needle biopsy: A single center prospective study

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound is the standard procedure for the diagnosis of pancreatic lesions and new needles have been developed to improve tissue acquisition (FNB). Rapid onset evaluation (ROSE) decreases the number of needle passes but is not always available. We introduced an easy and rapid method of direct classification of EUS-FNB sample namely Visual on-site evaluation (VOSE).

AIMS

To assess the accuracy of VOSE in predicting the histological adequacy of specimens. To evaluate the diagnostic power of FNB and the rate of core tissue obtained.

METHODS

Prospective single center study on patients with pancreatic lesions that underwent EUS-FNB. VOSE parameters were presence of blood, macroscopic visible core (MVC), number, color and length of specimen. The association between VOSE tool and histological adequacy was assessed. Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test used to compare categorical and continuous variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess association between variables.

RESULTS

99 patients (58.6% male; mean age 68.4 ± 10) enrolled, including 102 lesions. Total number of passes was 358 with median number of 4 (range, 2-4). The 92.7% of samples were adequate and it was higher with the 22-G needle than with 25G (96.5% vs 89.2% p 0.01). VOSE "red-mixed specimen" was associated with a higher probability of histological adequacy (OR 2.39 95% CI 1.03-5.42 p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The VOSE tool "red-mixed specimen" can be used to predict the histological adequacy and guide the number of needle passes. Overall, FNB provides a high rate of adequate and diagnostic specimen and high rate of core tissue especially with the 22G needle.

Diagnostic Fine-Needle Biopsy of Small Solid Pancreatic Lesions Using a Franseen Needle during Endoscopic Ultrasound Examination

BACKGROUND AND AIM

During endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNB), Franseen needles can help collect sufficient tissue to permit histopathological assessment. However, its efficacy might be limited by the size of the targeted lesion. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of histopathological assessment of small solid pancreatic lesions using a 22-gauge Franseen needle during EUS-FNB.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated data from all patients who underwent EUS-FNB using a Franseen needle for solid pancreatic lesions at the University of Toyama Hospital between June 2018 and April 2020.

RESULTS

The study included 159 patients who had 152 malignant lesions and 7 benign lesions. The malignant lesions included pancreatic cancers (n = 134), neuroendocrine neoplasms (n = 15), metastatic tumors (n = 2), and a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (n = 1). The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNB (combining histology and cytology) was 98.7%. However, the histopathological diagnosis was only confirmed for 64.3% of small lesions (<10 mm), relative to 97.2% for larger lesions. Multivariate analysis also revealed that lesion size of <10 mm predicted a less accurate histopathological diagnosis (odds ratio: 6.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-47.67; p = 0.041). Further analyses revealed a failed histological diagnosis in 4 patients with lesions of <5 mm in size and accurate diagnoses in 9 out of 10 patients with lesions of 5-10 mm in size.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic accuracy for small lesions (<10 mm), especially for lesions of <5 mm, based on histological examination alone, was significantly lower than that for others (>10 mm). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that only lesion size was an independent predictor of histopathological diagnosis accuracy.

The Diagnosis of Autoimmune Pancreatitis Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is characterized by enlargement of the pancreas and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. It is often associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), in which the bile duct narrows. Although characteristic irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct caused by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is noted in AIP, it is difficult to differentiate between localized AIP and pancreatic carcinoma based on imaging of the pancreatic duct. While stenosis of the bile duct in IgG4-SC is characterized by longer-length stenosis than in cholangiocarcinoma, differentiation based on bile duct imaging alone is challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can characterize hypoechoic enlargement of the pancreas or bile duct wall thickening in AIP and IgG4-SC, and diagnosis using elastography and contrast-enhanced EUS are being evaluated. The utility of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration for the histological diagnosis of AIP has been reported and is expected to improve diagnostic performance for AIP. Findings in the bile duct wall from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by intraductal ultrasonography are useful in differentiating IgG4-SC from cholangiocarcinoma. Diagnoses based on endoscopic ultrasonography play a central role in the diagnosis of AIP.

Role of Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration/Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Autoimmune Pancreatitis

Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is histologically characterized by lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP). Recently, the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/B) for AIP has been reported. However, its role in the diagnostic flow of AIP is not fully elucidated. We retrospectively reviewed 53 consecutive patients who were suspected with AIP and underwent EUS-FNA/B. We evaluated the contribution of EUS-FNA/B to the diagnosis of AIP before considering response to steroid therapy among patients with diffuse enlargement of the pancreas and those with focal enlargement, respectively. Twenty-two patients showed diffuse pancreatic enlargement and 31 showed focal enlargement. The final diagnosis was definitive AIP in 32 patients, probable AIP in 2, possible AIP in 1, and mass-forming focal pancreatitis in 18. There was no change in diagnosis after EUS-FNA/B among patients with diffuse pancreatic enlargement, while diagnosis changed in 38.7% (12/31) among those with focal enlargement—there was a probable to definitive diagnosis in 4 patients, unspecified to definitive in 3, and unspecified to probable in 5. EUS-FNB provided a significantly higher sensitivity for typical pathological findings of LPSP than EUS-FNA, and 10 patients were diagnosed as pathologically definitive AIP by EUS-FNB, though none were by EUS-FNA (p = 0.002). EUS-FNA/B was useful in the diagnosis of focal type AIP, and steroid therapy could be introduced after the diagnosis was confirmed. Meanwhile, EUS-FNA/B provided no contribution to diagnosis of diffuse type AIP. EUS-FNB showed a higher diagnostic yield than FNA.