Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples yield adequate DNA for next-generation sequencing:A cohort analysis

BACKGROUND Genetic tests are increasingly performed for the management of unresectable pancreatic cancer.For genotyping aimed samples current guidelines recommend using core specimens,although based on moderate quality evidence.However,in clinical practice among the endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) guided tissue acquisition methods,fine needle aspiration(FNA) is the most widely performed.AIM To assess the adequacy for next generation sequencing(NGS) of the DNA yielded from EUS-FNA pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PDAC) samples.METHODS Between November 2018 and December 2021,105 patients with PDAC confirmed by EUS-FNA were included in the study at our tertiary gastroenterology center.Either 22 gauge(G) or 19G FNA needles were used.One pass was dedicated to DNA extraction.DNA concentration and purity(A260/280,A260/230) were assessed by spectrophotometry.We assessed the differences in DNA parameters according to needle size and tumor characteristics(size,location) and the adequacy of the extracted DNA for NGS(defined as A260/280 ≥ 1.7,and DNA yield:≥ 10 ng for amplicon based NGS,≥ 50 ng for whole exome sequencing [WES],≥ 100 ng for whole genome sequencing [WGS]) by analysis of variance and ttest respectively.Moreover,we compared DNA purity parameters across the different DNA yield categories.RESULTS Our cohort included 49% male patients,aged 67.02 ± 8.38 years.The 22G needle was used in 71%of the cases.The DNA parameters across our samples varied as follows:DNA yield:1289 ng(inter quartile range:534.75-3101),A260/280 = 1.85(1.79-1.86),A260/230 = 2.2(1.72-2.36).DNA yield was > 10 ng in all samples and > 100 ng in 93% of them(one sample < 50 ng).There were no significant differences in the concentration and A260/280 between samples by needle size.Needle size was the only independent predictor of A260/230 which was higher in the 22G samples(P =0.038).NGS adequacy rate was 90% for 19G samples regardless of NGS type,and for 22G samples it reached 89% for WGS adequacy and 91% for WES and amplicon based NGS.Samples with DNA yield > 100 ng had significantly higher A260/280(1.89 ± 0.32 vs 1.34 ± 0.42,P = 0.013).Tumor characteristics were not corelated with the DNA parameters.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA PDAC samples yield DNA adequate for subsequent NGS.DNA amount was similar between 22G and 19G FNA needles.DNA purity parameters may vary indirectly with needle size.

FNAC联合FNA-Tg检测在甲状腺乳头状癌颈侧区淋巴结转移中的诊断价值

目的探讨超声引导下细针穿刺细胞学检查(FNAC)联合细针穿刺洗脱液甲状腺球蛋白(FNA-Tg)在甲状腺乳头状癌(PTC)颈侧区淋巴结转移中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析行颈侧区淋巴结清扫术的200例PTC患者的临床资料,术前超声评估颈侧区有可疑转移淋巴结236枚,术后病理证实转移性淋巴结178枚,非转移性淋巴结58枚,所有患者均行FNAC、FNA-Tg检查。以术后病理结果为金标准,比较FNAC、FNA-Tg、FNAC联合FNA-Tg的诊断结果及诊断效能。结果FNAC联合FNA-Tg诊断PTC颈侧区淋巴结转移的灵敏度、准确度、阴性预测值高于单一诊断方法,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论FNAC与FNA-Tg检测方法在临床中能够用于诊断PTC颈侧区淋巴结转移,两者联合检测可以进一步提高诊断效能,值得推广及应用。

Ultrasound-guided vs endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cancer diagnosis

AIM: To clarify the effectiveness and safety of endo- scopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC). METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic PC between February 2006 and September 2011 were selected for this retrospective study. FNA biopsy for pancreatic tumors had been performed percutaneously under extracorporeal ultrasound guidance until October 2009; then, beginning in November 2009, EUS-FNA has been performed. We reviewed the complete medical records of all patients who met the selection criteria for the following data: sex, age, location and size of the targeted tumor, histological and/or cytological findings, details of puncture procedures, time from day of puncture until day of definitive diagnosis, and details of severe adverse events. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients who met the selection criteria, 46 had a percutaneous biopsy (Group A) and 75 had an EUS-FNA biopsy (Group B). Adequate cytological specimens were obtained in 42 Group A patients (91.3%) and all 75 Group B patients (P=0.0192), and histological specimens were obtained in 41 Group A patients (89.1%) and 65 Group B patients (86.7%). Diagnosis of malignancy by cytology was positive in 33 Group A patients (78.6%) and 72 Group B patients (94.6%) (P=0.0079). Malignancy by both cytology and pathology was found in 43 Group A (93.5%) and 73 Group B (97.3%) patients. The mean period from the puncture until the cytological diagnosis in Group B was 1.7 d, which was significantly shorter than that in Group A (4.1 d) (P < 0.0001). Severe adverse events were experienced in two Group A patients (4.3%) and in one Group B patient (1.3%). CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA, as well as percutaneous needle aspiration, is an effective modality to obtain cytopathological confirmation in patients with advanced PC.

ERCP与EUS-FNA融合技术对胰腺癌合并梗阻性黄疸的诊治效能

目的探讨超声内镜引导下细针穿刺术(endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration,EUS-FNA)和内镜下逆行胰胆管造影术(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,ERCP)融合技术在胰腺癌合并梗阻性黄疸患者诊疗中的应用价值。方法回顾性收集2023年1月1日—2024年2月26日北京协和医院消化内科住院接受ERCP胆管支架引流胰腺癌合并梗阻性黄疸患者的临床资料。根据是否在同一内镜单元进行EUS-FNA,将其分为融合技术组和单纯ERCP组。比较两组病理诊断率、ERCP引流成功率、术后并发症发生率及患者单次住院时间差异。结果共入选符合纳入与排除标准的接受ERCP胆管支架引流的胰腺癌合并梗阻性黄疸患者161例,其中融合技术组80例,单纯ERCP组81例。融合技术组病理诊断率高于单纯ERCP组[92.50%(74/80)比46.15%(12/26),P<0.001],ERCP引流成功率[82.50%(66/80)比86.42%(70/81),P=0.360]、术后总并发症发生率[5.00%(4/80)比2.47%(2/81),P=0.443]、单次住院时间[4(4,7)d比5(3,9)d,P=0.397]与单纯ERCP组均无统计学差异。结论EUS-FNA与ERCP融合技术可显著提升胰腺癌合并梗阻性黄疸病理诊断率,且不影响ERCP引流效果,不增加术后并发症率发生率,有助于提高临床诊疗效率。

Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor grading

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) for grading pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors(PNETs).METHODS: A total of 22 patients were diagnosed with PNET by EUS-FNA between October 2001 and December 2013 at Fukushima Medical University Hospital.Among these cases,we targeted 10 PNET patients who were evaluated according to the World Health Organization(WHO) 2010 classification.Surgery was performed in eight patients,and chemotherapy was performed in two patients due to multiple liver metastases.Specimens obtained by EUS-FNA were first stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then stained with chromogranin,synaptophysin,CD56,and Ki-67.The specimens were graded by the Ki-67 index according to the WHO 2010 classification.Specimens obtained by surgery were graded by the Ki-67 indexand mitotic count(WHO 2010 classification).For the eight specimens obtained by EUS-FNA,the Ki-67 index results were compared with those obtained by surgery.In the two cases treated with chemotherapy,the effects and prognoses were evaluated.RESULTS: The sampling rate for histological diagnosis by EUS-FNA was 100%.No adverse effects were observed.The concordance rate between specimens obtained by EUS-FNA and surgery was 87.5%(7/8).Fo r t h e t w o c a s e s t re a t e d w i t h c h e m o t h e ra p y,case 1 received somatostatin analog therapy and transcatheter arterial infusion(TAI) targeting multiple liver metastases.Subsequent treatment consisted of everolimus.During chemotherapy,the primary tumor remained unconfirmed,although the multiple liver metastases diminished dramatically.Case 2 was classified as neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC) according to the Ki-67 index of a specimen obtained by EUS-FNA; therefore,cisplatin and irinotecan therapy was started.However,severe adverse effects,including renal failure and diarrhea,were observed,and the therapy regimen was changed to cisplatin and etoposide.TAI targeting multiple liver metastases was performed.Although the liver metastases diminished,the primary tumor remained unconfirmed.These chemotherapy regimens had immediate effects for both unresectable neuroendocrine tumor(NET) and NEC cases.These two subjects are still alive.CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA was effective for PNET diagnosis and Ki-67 index grading for WHO 2010 classification,enabling informed decisions on unresectable PNET treatment by identifying NET or NEC.

Testicular fine needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool in nonobstructive azoospermia

Aim： To report the fine needle aspiration cytology （FNAC） of the testes used as a diagnostic tool in non-obstructive azoospermic patients. Methods： One hundred and twenty-five non-obstructive azoospermic male candidates to intracytoplasmic sperm injetion （ICSI） were analysed for follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, testosterone and inhibin B plasma levels. They were classified into three groups on the basis of FNAC： 1） Sertoli cell-only syndrome （SCOS） （70）; 2） severe hypospermatogenesis （42）; and 3） maturation arrest （13）, Then, all men underwent testicular sperm extraction （TESE） for sperm recovery for ICSI. Results： Mature spermatozoa were detected by FNAC in 24 of 42 men with severe hypospermatogenesis and nine of 13 men with maturation arrest; while they were retrieved by TESE in 29 of 70 men with SCOS, 35 of 42 men with severe hypospermatogenesis （including the 24 by FNAC） and 10 of 13 men with maturation arrest （including the nine by FNAC）. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 44.6 % and 100 %, respectively. There was no difference on testicular volume and hormonal parameters in men with and without sperm retrieved. Conclusion： These findings suggest that FNAC may be a simple and valid diagnostic parameter in non-obstructive azoospermic men and it may represent a valid positive prognostic parameter for sperm recovery at TESE, （Asian J Androl 2005 Sep; 7： 289-294）

Resected tumor seeding in stomach wall due to endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) is a useful and relatively safe tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. However, there have recently been several reports of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA of adenocarcinomas. A 78-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to upper gastric pain. Examinations revealed a 20 mm mass in the pancreatic body, for which EUS-FNA was performed. The cytology of the lesion was adenocarcinoma, and the stage of the cancer was T3N0M0. The patient underwent surgery with curative intent, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. An enlarging gastric submucosal tumor was found on gastroscopy at 28 mo after surgery accompanied by a rising level of CA19-9. Biopsy result was adenocarcinoma, consistent with a pancreatic primary tumor. Tumor seeding after EUS-FNA was strongly suspected. The patient underwent surgical resection of the gastric tumor with curative intent. The pathological result of the resected gastric specimen was adenocarcinoma with a perfectly matched mucin special stain result with the previously resected pancreatic cancer. This is the first case report of tumor seeding after EUS-FNA which was surgically resected and inspected pathologically.

Preoperative diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration

瞄准：在胃肠的基质肿瘤(大意) 的外科手术前的诊断评估内视镜的指导 ultrasonography 的好针渴望(EUS-FNA ) 的角色。方法：从 2002 年 9 月到 2006 年 6 月，有到合适的肌肉层的连续性的上皮的低亚硫酸钠拟声肿瘤由标准 EUS 作为大意怀疑了的官方补给的道潜水艇的 53 连续 EUS-FNAs 有希望地被评估。为最后的诊断的参考标准是外科(n = 31 ) ，或临床的后续(n = 22 ) 。另外，标本的免疫 phenotyping 由 EUS-FNA 获得了，外科的切除术标本被比较。结果：因为解剖问题，没在 2 情况刺被执行。从官方补给的道的足够的标本的收集率与连续性代替上皮的低亚硫酸钠拟声肿瘤到合适的肌肉层是 82%(42/51 ) 。为肿瘤的诊断的率不到 2 厘米， 2 ～ 4 厘米，和 4 厘米或更多是 71%(15/21 ) ， 86%(18/21 ) ，并且 100%(9/9 ) 分别地。在 29 通过手术用免疫的 EUS-FNA 的 resected 盒子，敏感，特性，积极预兆的价值，否定预兆的价值，和诊断精确性大意的组织化学的分析是100%( 24/24 )，80%( 4/5 )，96%( 24/25 )，100%( 4/4 )，并且97%( 28/29 )分别地。没有主要复杂并发症被遇到。结论：有免疫的 EUS-FNA 组织化学的分析是在大意的 prethera-peutic 诊断的一个安全、精确的方法。它应该在决策被考虑，特别在跟随为大意的最小的侵略外科的早诊断。

Non-imaging-guided fine-needle aspiration of liver lesions:aretrospective study of 279 patients

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Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration:Technique and applications in clinical practice

Since its initial report in 1992,endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) has now been incorporated into the diagnostic and staging algorithm for the evaluation of benign and malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and of adjacent organs.Its introduction constitutes a major breakthrough in the endoscopic field and has gradually transformed EUS from a pure imaging modality into a more interventional procedure.In addition,the possibility of collecting samples,providing a definitive cytological and/or histological evidence of the presence of malignancy,has strongly contributed to changing EUS from a subjective,highly operator dependant procedure into a more objective one.This article will review the instrumentation,technique and the most important clinical applications of EUS-FNA.

Pancreatic paraganglioma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Pancreatic paragangliomas(PPGL)are rare benign neuroendocrine neoplasms but malignancy can occur.PPGL are often misdiagnosed as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.CASE SUMMARY We reviewed 47 case reports of PPGL published in PubMed to date.Fifteen patients(15/47)with PPGL underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA).Only six(6/15)were correctly diagnosed as PPGL.All patients with PPGL underwent surgical resection except three(one patient surgery was aborted because of hypertensive crisis,two patients had metastasis or involvement of major vessels).Our patient remained on close surveillance as she was asymptomatic.CONCLUSION Accurate preoperative diagnosis of PPGL can be safely achieved by EUS-FNA with immunohistochemistry.Multidisciplinary team approach should be considered to bring the optimal results in the management of PPGL.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of solid pancreatic masses:the fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy dilemma. Is the best needle yet to come?

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is currently the standard of care for sampling pancreatic solid masses by using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).The accuracy of the technique is reported to be high,especially if coupled with the rapid on site evaluation (ROSE),and it has a high safety profile.However,FNA presents some limitations,such as the small amount of tissue that can be collected and the inability of obtaining a core tissue with intact histological architecture,which is relevant to perform immunohistochemical analysis,molecular profiling and,therefore,targeted therapies.Moreover,the presence of the ROSE by an expert cytopathologist is very important to maximize the diagnostic yield of FNA technique;however,it is not widely available,especially in small centers.Hence,the introduction of EUS fine needle biopsy (FNB) with a new generation of needles,which show a high safety profile too and a satisfying diagnostic accuracy even in the absence of ROSE,could be the key to overcome the limitations of FNA.However,FNB has not yet shown diagnostic superiority over FNA.Considering all the technical aspects of FNA and FNB,the different types of needle currently available,comparisons in term of diagnostic yield,and the different techniques of sampling,a tailored approach should be used in order to determine the needle that is most appropriate for the different specific scenarios.

Comparison of cytological and histological preparations in the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancies using endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration

BACKGROUND:Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) has become a crucial diagnostic technique for pancreatic malignancies.The specimen obtained by EUS-FNA can be prepared for either cytological or histological examinations.This study was to compare diagnostic performance of cytological and histological preparations using EUSFNA in the same lesions when pancreatic malignancies were suspected.METHODS:One hundred and eighteen patients who underwent EUS-FNA for suspected pancreatic malignancies were consecutively enrolled.All procedures were conducted by a single echoendoscopist under the same conditions.Four adequate preparations were obtained by 22-gauge needles with 20 to-and-fro movements for each pass.The 4 preparations included 2 cytological and 2 histological specimens.The pathologic reviews of all specimens were conducted independently by a single experienced cytopathologist.Sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of the 2 preparations were compared.RESULTS:The enrolled patients consisted of 62 males(52.5%),with the mean age of 64.6±10.5 years.Surgery was performed in 23(19.5%) patients.One hundred and sixteen(98.3%) lesions were classified as malignant,while 2(1.7%) were benign.Sensitivity of cytology and histology were 87.9% and 81.9%,respectively,with no significant difference(P=0.190).Accuracy was also not significantly different.Cytological preparation was more sensitive when the size of lesion was <3 cm(86.7% vs 68.9%,P=0.033).CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggested that the diagnostic performances of cytological and histological preparations are not significantly different for the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancies.However,cytological preparation might be more sensitive for pancreatic lesions <3 cm.

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of isolated pancreatic tuberculosis: A case report

Tuberculosis(TB) involving the pancreas are uncommon, especially when present in immunocompetent hosts. Pancreatic TB is more frequently associated with miliary TB or widely disseminated disease. Pancreatic TB may present as cystic or solid pancreatic masses, pancreatic abscess or acute or chronic pancreatitis. Majority of the cases are diagnosed after surgical exploration for presumed pancreatic malignancy and preoperative diagnosis is quite difficult. However, improvement in imaging techniques and the resulting imageguided interventions gradually can obviate the need for more invasive diagnostic surgical procedures and expedite the planning of therapy. Herein, we report a rare case of isolated pancreatic TB which presented with pancreatic mass lesion in an immunocompetent host. Diagnosis was made by contrast enhanced computed tomography and guided fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic mass which revealed acid-fast bacillion Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The case was treated successfully with antituberculous drugs. Pancreatic tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic mass when the patient is young, residing in the endemic zone of tuberculosis. Every attempt should be made to diagnose the cases to prevent unnecessary operation.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas: A case report and literature review

We describe the clinical, imaging and cytopathological features of solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas (SPTP) diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound- guided (EUS-guided) fine-needle aspiration (FNA). A 17-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaints of an unexplained episodic abdominal pain for 2 mo and a short history of hypertension in the endocrinology clinic. Clinical laboratory examinations revealed polycystic ovary syndrome, splenomegaly and low serum amylase and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed a mass of the pancreatic tail with solid and cystic consistency. EUS confirmed the mass, both in body and tail of the pancreas, with distinct borders, which caused dilation of the peripheral part of the pancreatic duct (major diameter 3.7 mm). The patient underwent EUS-FNA. EUS-FNA cytology specimens consisted of single cells and aggregates of uniform malignant cells, forming microadenoid structures, branching, papillary clusters with delicate fibrovascular cores and nuclear overlapping. Naked capillaries were also seen. The nuclei of malignant cells were round or oval, eccentric with fine granular chromatin, small nucleoli and nuclear grooves in some of them. The malignant cells were periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-Alcian blue (+) and immunocytochemically they were vimentin (+), CA 19.9 (+), synaptophysin (+), chromogranin (-), neuro-specific enolase (-), a1- antitrypsin and a1-antichymotrypsin focal positive. Cytologic findings were strongly suggestive of SPTP. Biopsy confirmed the above cytologic diagnosis. EUS- guided FNA diagnosis of SPTP is accurate. EUS findings,cytomorphologic features and immunostains of cell block help distinguish SPTP from pancreatic endocrine tumors, acinar cell carcinoma and papillary mucinous carcinoma.

Evaluation of clinical relevance of examining K-ras, p16 and p53 mutations along with allelic losses at 9p and 18q in EUS-guided fine needle aspiration samples of patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

AIM: To establish an optimum combination of molecular markers resulting in best overall diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for evaluation of suspicious pancreatic mass. METHODS: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA) was performed on 101 consecutive patients (63 males, 38 females, 60 ± 12 years; 81 with subsequently diagnosed pancreatic cancer, 20 with chronic pancreatitis) with focal pancreatic mass. Samples were evaluated on-site by an experienced cytopathologist. DNA was extracted from Giemsa stained cells selected by laser microdissection and the presence of K-ras, p53 and p16 somatic mutations was tested by cycling-gradient capillary electrophoresis (CGCE) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) techniques. In addition, allelic losses of tumor suppressor genes p16 (INK4, CDKN2A) and DPC4 (MADH4, SMAD4) were detected by monitoring the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 9p and 18q, respectively. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of EUS-guided FNA were 75% and 85%, positive and negative predictivevalue reached 100%. The remaining 26% samples were assigned as inconclusive. Testing of molecular markers revealed sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 100% for K-ras mutations (P < 0.001), 24% and 90% for p53 mutations (NS), 13% and 100% for p16 mutations (NS), 85% and 64% for allelic losses at 9p (P < 0.001) and 78% and 57% for allelic losses at 18q (P < 0.05). When tests for different molecular markers were combined, the best results were obtained with K-ras + LOH at 9p (92% and 64%, P < 0.001), K-ras + LOH at 18q (92% and 57%, P < 0.001), and K-ras + LOH 9q + LOH 18q (96% and 43%, P < 0.001). When the molecular markers were used as complements to FNA cytology to evaluate inconclusive samples only, the overall sensitivity of cancer detection was 100% in all patients enrolled in the study. CONCLUSION: EUS-guided FNA cytology combined with screening of K-ras mutations and allelic losses of tumor suppressors p16 and DPC4 represents a very sensitive approach in screening for pancreatic malignancy. Molecular markers may find its use particularly in cases where FNA cytology has been inconclusive.

Diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fineneedle aspiration biopsy for glomus tumor of the stomach

A 52-year-old man was referred for further investigation of a gastric submucosal tumor on the greater curvature of the antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoechoic solid mass, which was primarily connected to the muscular layer of the stomach. We performed endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The pathological examination showed proliferation of oval-shaped cells with nest formation, which stained strongly positive for muscle actin, and negative for c-kit, CD34, CD56,desmin, S-100, chromogranin, and neuron-specific enolase. Therefore, we performed laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery based on the preoperative diagnosis of glomus tumor of the stomach. The final histological diagnosis confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. Although preoperative diagnosis of glomus tumor of the stomach is difficult with conventional images and endoscopic biopsy, endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an essential tool to gain histological evidence of glomus tumor of the stomach for early diagnosis.

Concise review on the comparative efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration vs core biopsy in pancreatic masses, upper and lower gastrointestinal submucosal tumors

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration with or without biopsy(FNA/FNB) are the primary diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal submucosal tumors. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) is considered a first line diagnostic method for the characterization of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal lesions, since it allows for the direct visualization of the collection of specimens for cytopathologic analysis. EUSFNA is most effective and accurate when immediate cytologic assessment is permitted by the presence of a cytopathologist on site. Unfortunately, the accuracy and thus the diagnostic yield of collected specimens suffer without this immediate analysis. Recently, a EUS-FNB needle capable of obtaining core samples(fine needle biopsy, FNB) has been developed and has shown promising results. This new tool adds a new dimension to the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of this technique. The aim of the present review is to compare the efficacy of EUS-FNA to that afforded by EUS-FNB in the characterization of pancreatic masses and of upper and lower gastrointestinal submucosal tumors.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of hepatic, gallbladder and biliary tract Lesions

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided fine needle aspira-tion(FNA) of the liver is a safe procedure in the diag-nosis and staging of hepatobiliary malignancies with a minimal major complication rate. EUS-FNA is useful for liver lesions poorly accessible to other imaging modali-ties of the liver. EUS-guided FNA of biliary neoplasia and malignant biliary stricture is superior to the con-ventional endoscopic brushing and biopsy.

Rapid on-site evaluation of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of pancreatic masses

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)has become an essential tool for the study of pancreatic diseases.Specifically,EUS plays a pivotal role evaluating patients with a known or suspected pancreatic mass.In this setting,differential diagnosis remains a clinical challenge.EUSguided fine-needle aspiration(FNA)and fine-needle biopsy(FNB)have been proven to be safe and useful tools in this setting.EUS-guided FNA and FNB,by obtaining cytological and/or histological samples,are able to diagnose pancreatic lesions with high sensitivity and specificity.In this context,several methodological features,trying to increase the diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA and FNB,have been evaluated.In this review,we focus on the role of rapid on-site evaluation(ROSE).From data reported in the literature,ROSE may increase diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA specimens by10%-30%,and thus,diagnostic accuracy.However,we should point out that many recent studies have reported adequacy rates of>90%without ROSE,indicating that,perhaps,at high-volume centers,ROSE may not be indispensable to achieve excellent results.The use of ROSE can be considered important during the learning curve of EUS-FNA,and also in hospital with diagnostic accuracy rates<90%.