New treatment for gastric duplication cyst:Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy:A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric duplication cysts are very rare disease that are mainly diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonographic fine-needle aspiration biopsy.In the past,this disease was usually treated with traditional surgery and rarely with minimally invasive endoscopic surgery.However,minimally invasive endoscopic therapy has many advantages,such as no skin wound,organ preservation,postoperative pain reduction,early food intake,fewer postoperative complications,and shorter post-procedure hospitalization.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy for pyloric obstruction due to gastric duplication cysts.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA combined with lauromacrogol sclerotherapy provides a new option for the treatment of gastrointestinal duplication cysts.

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.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of an intrathyroidal nodule diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Both squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)and papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)are common malignant tumors in the neck.However,seldom has SCC of the thyroid been diagnosed.Further,cytological features of SCC and PTC have rarely been reported.The significance of fine-needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)in the diagnosis of neck masses has been established.Herein,we present an exceedingly rare case of an intrathyroidal SCC diagnosed using FNAC,along with its cytological features.CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old man presented with a left-sided neck mass.Ultrasound examination showed an ill-defined nodule.The appearance was hypoechoic with a few hyperechoic spots.FNAC of the left thyroid nodule was performed.A cellular smear was obtained,and it showed a large number of neoplastic cells with rich cytoplasm and poor cell adhesion.Tumor cell nuclei showed coarse nuclear chromatin and a few enlarged prominent nucleoli.An increased nuclear/cytoplasm ratio was observed.Thus,malignancy was diagnosed without a confirmed tumor type.Percutaneous tumor biopsy was performed to make a definite diagnosis.The tumor cells showed typical squamous cell characteristics.CONCLUSION Head and neck SCC and PTC have different cytologies.Measures are needed to ensure accurate diagnosis using FNAC.

Value of thyroglobulin combined with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Surgery for thyroid carcinoma offers a good prognosis;however,cervical lymph node metastasis may occur in the early stage.An effective diagnostic method can accurately guide clinical surgical planning and the scope of lymph node dissection,ultimately improving patient prognosis.AIM To explore the diagnostic value of fine-needle aspiration of thyroglobulin(FNATg)combined with ultrasound(US)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology for cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma.METHODS We enrolled 209 pathologically confirmed thyroid carcinoma patients who visited our hospital between Jan 2017 and Dec 2020.Patients were tentatively diagnosed with cervical lymph node enlargement using preoperative US.They underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology and FNA-Tg.The value of single and combined application of the two methods for the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was calculated.The factors affecting FNA-Tg for diagnosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.RESULTS FNA-Tg values were significantly higher among patients with positive cervical lymph node metastasis.The sensitivity and specificity of US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology+FNA-Tg were 85.48%and 90.59%,83.06%and 87.06%,and 96.77%and 91.76%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for USguided fine-needle aspiration cytology,FNA-Tg,and the two combined,was 0.880,0.851,and 0.943,respectively.A long diameter/short diameter ratio<2,an insufficient number of acquired cells,a low serum thyroglobulin level,and an absence of typical metastatic US features increased the risk of cervical lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma patients misdiagnosed using FNA-Tg.CONCLUSION The diagnostic value of FNA-Tg for detecting cervical lymph node metastasis is not high;however,combined with US-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology,it is significantly improved.

Statins decrease the risk of acute pancreatitis after endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts

Background: Basic and clinical studies suggest that statins may prevent and even ameliorate acute pan- creatitis. The present study was to evaluate whether statin decreases the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided ne-needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts. Methods: Out of 456 patients with pancreatic cysts referred to our center between 2006 and 2018, 365 were nally included in analyses: 86 were treated with statins and 279 were not at the time of endo- scopic ultrasound ne-needle aspiration. We compared the acute pancreatitis incidence between the two groups, and we also compared other complications such as bleeding and infections. Results: Median age was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR) 62 69] and median cyst size was 24mm (IQR, 21 29). The most frequent histology was intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (45.3% and 42.3% in the two groups, respectively;P =0.98). All 13 patients experiencing post-endoscopic ultrasound acute pancreatitis were from the control group (4.7%), of which 3 were classi ed as severe pancreatitis. None of statin users developed post-procedural acute pancreatitis (odds ratio: 0.15;95% con dence interval: 0.03 0.98;P=0.03). No difference was registered with regard to severe pancreatitis and other complications. Conclusions: Statins exert a bene cial role in preventing acute pancreatitis in patients with pancreatic cysts undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided ne-needle aspiration. If con rmed in prospective trials, our ndings may pave the way to an extensive use of statins as prophylactic agents in pancreatic inter- ventional endoscopy.

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(EUSFNA).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.

Fine-needle aspiration for periprosthetic fluid removal after implantation of a remote internal-port tissue expander

Background:Use of internal filling ports in tissue expander–based reconstructions are advantageous because of easier self-care,lower infection rates,and fewer instances of capsule formation.The appearance of periprosthetic fluid accumulation after internal-port tissue expander implantation is a common complication that warrants treatment.In this study,we introduced a noninvasive method using fine-needle aspiration(FNA)to remove fluids accumulated after implantation of a remote internal-port tissue expander.Methods:In this study,245 patients who underwent implantation of remote internal-port tissue expanders in our hospital from July 1,2012,to July 1,2019,were included and divided into two groups.In the control group,patients underwent tissue expander implantation before July 1,2016,and large quantities of fluids were removed with surgical aspiration procedures in most cases.In the FNA group,the patients underwent implantation after July 1,2016,and large quantities of fluids were removed first with the FNA procedure.Patients’demographic data,indications for FNA application,and related complications were collected and analyzed.Results:Overall,395 expanders were placed in 245 patients.Postoperative management was similar in both groups.Fluids were managed with 23 expanders in the control group and with 31 expanders in the FNA group.There was no difference in the fluid aspiration rate between the two groups.The surgical aspiration rate was 11.1%(23/208)in the control group.The success rate of FNA was 90.3%(28/31).In the FNA group,the surgical aspiration rate was 1.6%(3/187),which was significantly lower than that in the control group.There were no significant differences in complications between the two groups.Conclusion:FNA can be used for periprosthetic fluid removal after the implantation of a remote internal-port tissue expander in most cases.This method is more convenient and safer than surgical aspiration for the postoperative management of internal-port tissue expander implantation.

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%.

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.

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.

Can the wet suction technique change the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis type 1? A prospective single-arm study

BACKGROUND Other than surgery,endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUSFNA)is the only procedure for histologically diagnosing autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP).However,adequate specimens are difficult to obtain.Recently,more adequate specimens were reported to be obtained with EUS-FNA with a wet suction technique(WEST)than with conventional EUS-FNA.AIM To histologically diagnose AIP by EUS-FNA with a WEST.METHODS Eleven patients with possible type 1 AIP between February 2016 and August 2018 underwent EUS-FNA with a WEST(WEST group),with four punctures by 19 or 22 G needles.As a historical control,23 type 1 AIP patients who underwent no fewer than four punctures with 19 or 22 G needles were enrolled(DRY group).Patient characteristics and histological findings were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Three histopathological factors according to the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria were significantly greater in the WEST group than the DRY group[lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate without granulocytic infiltration:9(81.8%)vs 6(26.1%),P=0.003,storiform fibrosis:5(45.5%)vs 1(4.3%),P=0.008,abundant(>10 cells/HPF)IgG4-positive cells:7(63.6%)vs 5(21.7%),P=0.026].Level 1 or level 2 histopathological findings were observed more often in the WEST group than in the DRY group[8(72.7%)vs 3(13.0%),P=0.001].CONCLUSION EUS-FNA with a WEST was more successful than standard EUS-FNA in histologically diagnosing AIP.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for diagnosing a rare extraluminal duodenal gastrointestinal tumor

Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) are extremely rare disease entities, and the extraluminal type is difficult to diagnose. These tumors have been misdiagnosed as pancreatic tumors; hence, pancreaticoduodenectomy has been performed, although partial duodenectomy can be performed if accurately diagnosed. Developing a diagnostic methodology including endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) and fine-needle aspiration(FNA) has allowed us to diagnose the tumor directly through the duodenum. Here, we present a case of a 50-year-old woman with a 27-mm diameter tumor in the pancreatic uncus on computed tomography scan. EUS showed a well-defined hypoechoic mass in the pancreatic uncus that connected to the duodenal proper muscular layer and was followed by endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA). Histological examination showed spindle-shaped tumor cells positively stained for c-kit. Based on these findings, the tumor was finally diagnosed as a duodenal GIST of the extraluminal type, and the patient underwent successful mass resection with partial resection of the duodenum. This case suggests that EUS and EUS-FNA are effective for diagnosing the extraluminal type of duodenal GISTs, which is difficult to differentiate from pancreatic head tumor, and for performing the correct surgical procedure.

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.

Diagnosis of pancreatic tumors by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fi ne-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic solid tumors larger or smaller than 3 cm, and cystic lesions. METHODS: From January/1997 to December/2006, 611 patients with pancreatic tumors were subjected to EUS-FNA. The fi nal diagnosis was obtained either by surgery (356 cases) or after a mean clinical follow-up of 11.8 mo in the remaining patients. RESULTS: There were 405 solid tumors, 189 cystic lesions and 17 mixed. Pancreatic specimens for cytological assessment were successfully obtained by EUS-FNA in 595 (97.4/) cases. There were 352 (57.6/) malignancies and 259 (42.4/) benign tumors. Among the malignancies, pancreatic adenocarcinomas accounted for 67/ of the lesions. Overall, the sensitivity, specifi city, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of EUS-FNA were, respectively, 78.4/, 99.2/, 99.3/, 77.2/ and 87.2/. Specif ically for solid tumors, the same parameters for neoplasms larger and smaller than 3 cm were, respectively, 78.8/ vs 82.4/, 100/ vs 98.4/, 100/ vs 99/, 54.8/ vs 74.1/ and 83.1/ vs 87.8/. For cystic lesions, the values were, respectively, 72.2/, 99.3/, 97.5/, 91/ and 92.2/. CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA can be used to sample pancreatic tumors in most patients. Even though the negative predictive value is inadequate for large solid tumors, the results are rather good for small solid tumors, especially concerning the sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy. Among all pancreatic lesions, EUS-FNA for cystic lesions canreveal the best negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy, both higher than 90/.

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

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) is a useful procedure that enables reliable pathological diagnoses of pancreatobiliary diseases, subepithelial lesions, and swollen lymph nodes. In recent years, a pathological diagnosis based on EUS-FNA has made it possible to provide accurate treatment methods not only in these fields, but also in respiratory organs and otorhinolaryngology. This review discusses the latest topics pertaining to EUS-FNA as well as procedural tips.

Incidents and adverse events of endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration for pancreatic cystic lesions

AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value and safety mainly regarding incidents of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) for pancreatic cystic lesions(PCLs).METHODS A total of 150 consecutive patients with suspected PCLs were prospectively enrolled from April 2015 to November 2016. We finally enrolled 140 patients undergoing EUS-FNA. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA and pathological diagnosis, which is regarded as the gold standard, for PCLs. Patients undergoing EUS-FNA at least 1 wk preoperatively were monitored for incidents and adverse events to evaluate its safety.RESULTS There were 88(62.9%) women and 52(37.1%) men among 140 patients, with a mean age of 50.1(± 15.4) years. There were 67 cysts located in the head/uncinate of the pancreas and 67 in the body/tail, and 6 patients had at least 1 cyst in the pancreas. There were 75 patients undergoing surgery and 55 undergoing EUS-FNA with interval at least 1 wk before other operations, with 3 patients undergoing the procedure twice. The accuracy of EUS-FNA in differentiating benign and malignant lesions was 97.3%(73/75), while the accuracy of characterizing PCL subtype was 84.0%(63/75). The incident rate was 37.9%(22/58), whereas only 1 AE was observed in 58 cases.CONCLUSION EUS-FNA is effective and safe for diagnosis of PCLs, however procedure-related incidents are common. Caution should be taken in patients undergoing EUSFNA.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology in pancreaticobiliary carcinomas:diagnostic efficacy of cell-block immunocyto-chemistry

BACKGROUND:Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology was demonstrated to be a useful tool for the diagnosis and staging of pancreaticobiliary neoplastic lesions.Nonetheless,the diagnostic value of this procedure may be limited by low cellularity of the specimen,contamination of intestinal cells and unfeasibility of ancillary immunocytochemical procedures.The present study was to evaluate its usefulness in the diagnosis of neoplastic lesions.METHODS:A series of 46 pancreaticobiliary carcinomas with available cell block preparations was submitted to immunocytochemistry against cytokeratins,carcinoembryonic antigen,E-cadherin,CD10 and p53.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values of the cytological smear in the discrimination of malignant lesions were calculated and compared with those of cell block preparation with the immunocytochemical stains against p53 and CD10.RESULTS:According to our findings,the use of cell block preparations together with immunostains against p53 and CD10allowed to discriminate malignant versus benign specimens with higher sensitivity than the only cytological examination.In detail,CD10 immunostaining was of significant help for the discrimination between cytological contaminants,such as benign gastrointestinal cells,and the neoplastic elements of pancreaticobiliary well differentiated adenocarcinomas.Also,intense nuclear immunoreactivity for p53 was encountered in about 2/3 of the cases and identified pancreatic malignancy with high sensitivity.CONCLUSIONS:We suggest that immunocytochemistry against both CD10 and p53 could be applied case by case,mainly to differentiate gastrointestinal and pancreatic benign cellular contaminants showing hyperplasia or reactive changes from differentiated pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas.

Influence of the safety and diagnostic accuracy of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for resectable pancreatic cancer on clinical performance

AIM:To evaluate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)in a cohort of pancreatic cancer patients.METHODS:Of 213 patients with pancreatic cancer evaluated between April 2007 and August 2011,82were thought to have resectable pancreatic cancer on the basis of cross-sectional imaging findings.Of these,54 underwent EUS-FNA before surgery(FNA+group)and 28 underwent surgery without preoperative EUSFNA(FNA-group).RESULTS:All 54 lesions were visible on EUS,and all54 attempts at FNA were technically successful.The diagnostic accuracy according to cytology and histology findings was 98.1%(53/54)and 77.8%(42/54),respectively,and the total accuracy was 98.1%(53/54).One patient developed mild pancreatitis after EUS-FNA but was successfully treated by conservative therapy.No severe complications occurred after EUS-FNA.In the FNA+and FNA-groups,the median relapse-free survival(RFS)was 742 and 265 d,respectively(P=0.0099),and the median overall survival(OS)was1042 and 557 d,respectively(P=0.0071).RFS and OS were therefore not inferior in the FNA+group.These data indicate that the use of EUS-FNA did not influence RFS or OS,nor did it increase the risk of peritoneal recurrence.CONCLUSION:In patients with resectable pancreatic cancer,preoperative EUS-FNA is a safe and accurate diagnostic method.

The Utility of Fine-Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis and Management of Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms:One Institution’s 10-Year Experience

Background: Classical teaching dictates that follicular adenoma (FA) can be distinguished from follicular carcinoma (FC) based on histologic features only. We retrospectively reviewed our institution’s 10-year experience in the use of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to diagnose follicular thyroid neoplasms. Methods: Patients who had FNA of a thyroid neoplasm from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. Diagnoses of FA, FC, or follicular neoplasm-not otherwise specified (NOS) were included. Cytopathological results were correlated with surgical pathology. Results: Of 138 patients, 65% underwent surgery. FNA diagnosis for FA had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 71%. 25% of patients with an FNA diagnosis of FA were found to have cancer after surgical specimen examination. FNA diagnosis for FC had a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 94%. Conclusions: FNA has a low sensitivity for diagnosing FA. Surgical pathology remains the gold standard for differentiating follicular carcinoma from adenoma.

Slow-pull and different conventional suction techniques in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic solid lesions using 22-gauge needles

AIM To evaluate the cytological diagnostic capacity and sample quality of the slow-pull technique and compare them with different suction techniques.METHODS From July 2010 to December 2015, 102 patients with pancreatic solid lesions who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) with 22-gauge needles were retrospectively evaluated. EUS-FNA diagnosis was based on a cytological examination, and final diagnosis was based on a comprehensive standard of cytological diagnosis, surgical pathology and clinical or imaging follow-up. Cytological specimens were characterized for cellularity and blood contamination. The cytological diagnostic capacity and sample quality of the slow-pull technique and suction techniques with 5-m L/10-m L/20-m L syringes were analyzed.RESULTS Of all of the EUS-FNA procedures, the slow-pull technique and suction techniques with 5-m L/10-m L/20-m L syringes were used in 31, 19, 34 and 18 procedures, respectively. There were significant differences between these four suction techniques in terms of cytological diagnostic accuracy(90.3% vs 63.2% vs 58.8% vs 55.6%, P = 0.019), sensitivity(88.2% vs 41.7% vs 40.0% vs 36.4%, P = 0.009) and blood contamination(score ≥ 2 for 29.0% vs 52.6% vs 70.6% vs 72.2%, P = 0.003). The accuracy and sensitivity of the slow-pull technique were significantly higher than those of the suction techniques using 5-m L(P = 0.03, P = 0.014), 10-m L(P = 0.005; P = 0.006) and 20-mL syringes(P = 0.01, P = 0.01). Blood contamination was significantly lower in the slow-pull technique than in the suction techniques with 10-m L(P = 0.001) and 20-mL syringes(P = 0.007).CONCLUSION The slow-pull technique may increase the cytological diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity with slight blood contamination during EUS-FNA when using 22-gauge needles for solid pancreatic masses.