Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy - Recent topics and technical tips

Current status and issues in genomic analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens in hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers

Comprehensive genomic profiling based on next-generation sequencing has recently been used to provide precision medicine for various advanced cancers. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) play essential roles in the diagnosis of abdominal masses, mainly pancreatic cancers. In recent years, CGP analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens for hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers has increased; however, the success rate of CGP analysis is not clinically satisfactory, and many issues need to be resolved to improve the success rate of CGP analysis. In this article, we review the transition from EUS-FNA to FNB, compare each test, and discuss the current status and issues in genomic analysis of hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens.

Comparison between Target Sample Check Illuminator and White Light Observation in Discriminating the Presence of Target Specimen for Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Sample

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is an essential endoscopic tissue sampling method for diagnosing pancreatobiliary diseases; however, determining the presence of target specimens mixed in the blood by conventional observation is challenging due to the small size of the obtained sample. This study investigated the usefulness of a target sample check illuminator (TSCI) that emits a specific wavelength of light to determine the presence of target specimens. Twenty-seven patients who underwent EUS-FNA at our hospital were included. Conventional white light observation was performed for the collected samples, followed by TSCI; six people evaluated the presence of the target specimen on a 5-point scale. The target specimen discrimination score using TSCI (median: 5) was significantly higher than that using conventional white light observation (median: 1) (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the discrimination score between the evaluator (novice vs. expert, p = 0.162) and puncture needle (22G vs. 25G, p = 0.196). The discriminability of TSCI in the samples obtained using EUS-FNA was significantly higher than that of conventional observation. TSCI does not depend on the evaluator or puncture needle for the identification of the target specimen; hence, it can provide a good pathological specimen and may contribute to the improvement of the diagnostic ability.

Usefulness of Practitioner-Led Pancreatic Cancer Screening

The 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer has improved (10%) but remains worse than that for other cancers. Early pancreatic cancer diagnosis is challenging, and delayed diagnosis can delay treatment, which impairs survival. Practitioners do not promptly refer cases to a general hospital, causing delayed discovery. Herein, we aimed to examine the usefulness of the Pancreatic Cancer Project in Matsue, whose objective is to detect pancreatic cancer in patients presenting at any medical institution in Matsue City. Clinical data were extracted from medical records, and abdominal ultrasonography and tumor marker blood level assessments were performed (n = 234; median age, 71 [range, 41–94] years; 51% male). Cases with abnormal abdominal ultrasonography or blood test findings were referred for specialist imaging and followed up. The pancreatic cancer detection rate was 6.0% (n = 14); all cases were referred to a general hospital by practitioners within 1 month. Patients had stage IA (n = 1), IIA (n = 6), IIB (n = 2), III (n = 1), and IV (n = 4) disease. Overall, pancreatic cancer could be detected at an earlier stage (I–II), but referral to a general hospital by visiting practitioners should be prompt. The Pancreatic Cancer Project in Matsue may help improve the detection and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Simultaneous multiple primary malignancies diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration: A case report

BACKGROUND

Multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) refer to more than one primary malignancy in the same or separate organs of the same patient, and MPMs are considered when different histological characteristics are detected in epidemiological studies. Herein, we report a case presumed to be primary pancreatic cancer with multiple liver metastases by positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and confirmed to be synchronous liver and pancreatic MPMs by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

CASE SUMMARY

A 50-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to abdominal discomfort for 2 mo. Abdominal CT at a local hospital revealed a pancreatic mass with multiple liver nodules. After being transferred to our hospital, PET/CT confirmed all these lesions to have elevated metabolic activity, and therefore primary pancreatic cancer with multiple liver metastases was considered. EUS-guided liver aspiration unexpectedly found signet-ring cells with a high Ki-67 positive rate (20%), while EUS-guided pancreatic aspiration detected pancreatic neuroendocrine cells with a relatively low Ki-67 positive rate (1%). The final diagnosis from the multidisciplinary team was simultaneous liver and pancreatic MPMs. The patient returned to his local hospital for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery, and he is still alive during the 6-mo postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, MPMs should be considered when treating pancreatic mass with suspected metastatic lesions, and EUS-FNA has proved minimally invasive and accurate.

Usefulness of a target sample check illuminator in the detection of target specimens in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy samples: Multicenter prospective study

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) uses a thin needle, rendering unclear whether the collected sample contains pathological evidence. We examined the usefulness of our target sample check illuminator (TSCI) through a multicenter prospective trial.

METHODS

We included 52 consecutive patients. After assessing EUS-FNB samples by conventional (visual observation) and TSCI methods, we evaluated consistency with the histopathological diagnosis. We compared the target sample confirmation rate between conventional and TSCI methods and evaluated the diagnostic ability separately.

RESULTS

Comparison between the conventional and TSCI methods revealed the following: (i) for all cases: sensitivity, 51.0% (25/49) vs. 95.9% (47/49) (P = 0.001); specificity, 100% (3/3) vs. 66.7% (2/3); positive predictive value (PPV), 100% (25/25) vs. 97.9% (47/48); and negative predictive value (NPV), 11.1% (3/27) vs. 50.0% (2/4) (P = 0.002); (ii) for pancreatic masses: sensitivity, 28.0% (7/25) vs. 96.0% (24/25) (P < 0.001); specificity, 100% (2/2) vs. 100% (2/2); PPV, 100% (7/7) vs. 100% (24/24); and NPV, 10.0% (2/20) vs. 66.7% (2/3) (P < 0.001) (the TSCI method showed significantly better sensitivity and NPV than the conventional method); and (iii) for lymph node tumors: sensitivity, 75.0% (18/24) vs. 95.8% (23/24) (P = 0.025); specificity, 100% (1/1) vs. 0% (0/1); PPV, 100% (18/18) vs. 95.8% (23/24); and NPV, 14.3% (1/7) vs. 0% (0/1).

CONCLUSIONS

The TSCI improved the sensitivity, NPV, and accuracy of target sample confirmation for pancreatic mass EUS-FNB. Although the proportion of samples not including a target region was quite low, which could strongly influence our results, the TSCI method can be used in EUS-FNB when rapid on-site evaluation cannot be performed. (A multicenter prospective study for the utility of a target sample check illuminator, Clinical Trial ID: UMIN000023349).

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.

Utility of a 20G needle with a core trap in EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy for gastric submucosal tumors: A multicentric prospective trial

Background and Objectives

Differential diagnosis to estimate the malignant potential of gastric submucosal tumor (g-SMT) is important for decision-making. This study evaluated the use of a 20G needle with a core trap for EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) for g-SMT.

Methods

This multicentric prospective trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000021410). Consecutive patients with g-SMT who presented at one of the nine Japanese Referral Centers between June 2017 and November 2018 were enrolled. All patients underwent EUS-FNB using a 20G needle with a core trap. Samples obtained with the first-needle pass were used for central pathological review. EUS-FNB was evaluated in terms of (i) technical success rate, (ii) adequacy for histological evaluation, (iii) rate of complications, (iv) accuracy for histological diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and (v) concordance between GIST mitotic index determined by EUS-FNB and after tumor resection.

Results

The study included 52 patients. The technical success rate of EUS-FNB was 100%. The adequacy rate for histological evaluation was 90.4% (P < 0.001). There were no complications related to EUS-FNB. Of the 38/52 patients who underwent surgical resection, 36 were finally diagnosed with GIST. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNB for the histological diagnosis of g-SMT were 80.6%, 100%, and 81.6%, respectively. The concordance rate between the mitotic index on EUS-FNB and that after analysis of the resected tumor was 89.7%.

Conclusions

EUS-FNB using a 20G needle with a core trap is feasible, providing histological samples of sufficient quality for diagnosing g-SMT.