Value of EUS-guided through-the-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: An 8-year experience.

Abstract

Background and objectives: An accurate diagnosis is crucial for the clinical management of pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN). EUS-guided through-the-needle biopsy (EUS-TTNB) is a novel technique for improving the accuracy of PCN diagnosis. There is insufficient evidence about the efficacy of EUS-TTNB. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of EUS-TTNB for PCN.

Methods: Between June 2015 and July 2023, we prospectively enrolled 454 patients with a clinical concern for PCN in our database. After excluding those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, pseudocysts, or other no-neoplasms, we assessed 326 patients with 329 cysts undergoing EUS-guided fine-needle-aspiration (EUS-FNA) or EUS-TTNB for evaluation. The primary indicators were tissue acquisition yield and diagnostic yield. The cyst characteristics (size, location, the presence of septation, mural nodule, and solid mass) and the number of biopsy samples were chosen for the analysis of factors associated with diagnostic performance.

Results: There were 220 (67.5%) females and 106 (32.5%) males, and the median patient age was 50 years (range, 18-88). There were 329 cysts sampled by FNA and 143 by TTNB. The median cyst size was 31.5 mm (range, 6.9-114.0). The diagnostic yields of FNA and TTNB were 35.7% (112/314) and 57.5% (73/127), respectively (P < 0.001). Special cyst types were diagnosed by TTNB in 58 (45.7%, 58/127) cysts, 19 of which had surgical pathology. Fifteen of 19 TTNB diagnoses were concordant with the surgical pathology.

Conclusion: EUS-TTNB is an option to improve the diagnosis of PCN. Standardized procedures and appropriate indications for TTNB need to be studied.