Performance of a new needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in patients with pancreatic solid lesions: A retrospective multicenter study

Background and Objectives: Procurement of tissue core biopsy samples may overcome some of the limitations of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration. We aimed at assessing the safety , histological sample procurement yield, and diagnostic accuracy - of a newly available histology needle. Materials and Methods: Data from consecutive patients with pancreatic solid lesions who underwent EUS-finc needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using the 22-gauge Acquire (TM) needle were retrospectively - retrieved from four tertiary care centers database. Results: Fifty-nine patients (mean age 68 +/- 12 years: male/female 29/30) with pancreatic solid lesions underwent EUS-FNB using the 22-gauge Acquire (TM) needle. The biopsy was done transgastrically in 22 (37.3%) patients and transduodenally in 37 (62.7%) cases. A mean of 2.8 +/- 0.45 needle passes per lesion site were performed, without any major complication. A tissue core biopsy sample for histological evaluation was obtained in 55 (93.2%) cases. In the additional four cases, the specimen obtained resulted adequate for cytological evaluation. Considering malignant versus nonmalignant disease. sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio. positive likelihood ratio. and diagnostic accuracy were 98.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.6-99.7). 100% (95% CI, 43.6-100). 0.018 (95% CI, 0.003-0.125). 295.6 (95% CI, 0-9.3 x 10(10)). and 98.3% (95% CI, 94.9-100). respectively. Conclusions: EUS-FNB using the 22-gauge Acquire (TM) needle is able to reach a Very high procurement yield and diagnostic accuracy. Large prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the utility of this newly developed needle.