Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is defined as a metastatic involvement of the peritoneum by several other primary sites and it is characterized by a marked worsening of prognosis, with limited treatment opportunities. Subsequently, PC should be ruled out before any invasive treatment is administered. A new through-the-needle micro-biopsy forceps (MF) was recently introduced that permits micro-histology cores. In this case series, we evaluated the feasibility of MF in the assessment of PC to complete patient diagnostic work-ups. Five consecutive patients referred for endoscopic ultrasound staging were sampled using MF. Sampling was feasible in all patients with a technical success of 100%. No adverse events were reported in any cases. This technique was feasible and safe with a technical success rate of 100%. It permitted sampling of peritoneal irregularity, obtained high-quality tissue fragments in all cases, and enabled an additional assessment, i.e., immunohistochemical staining.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is defined as a metastatic involvement of the peritoneum by several other primary sites and it is characterized by a marked worsening of prognosis, with limited treatment opportunities. Subsequently, PC should be ruled out before any invasive treatment is administered. A new through-the-needle micro-biopsy forceps (MF) was recently introduced that permits micro-histology cores. In this case series, we evaluated the feasibility of MF in the assessment of PC to complete patient diagnostic work-ups. Five consecutive patients referred for endoscopic ultrasound staging were sampled using MF. Sampling was feasible in all patients with a technical success of 100%. No adverse events were reported in any cases. This technique was feasible and safe with a technical success rate of 100%. It permitted sampling of peritoneal irregularity, obtained high-quality tissue fragments in all cases, and enabled an additional assessment, i.e., immunohistochemical staining.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is the go-to method for obtaining samples from gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic lesions. When the transduodenal approach is utilized, the use of a more flexible needle, such as a nitinol 19-gauge (G) needle, has been recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of 19-G flexible aspiration needles in obtaining samples from solid lesions through a transduodenal approach. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from eight Italian endoscopy centers. Consecutive patients with solid lesions who underwent transduodenal EUS-FNA with a 19-G flexible needle were included. Results: A total of 201 patients were enrolled. According to histology, EUS, radiology and 12 months of follow-up, 151 patients had malignant lesions and 50 patients had benign lesions. EUS-FNA was feasible in all cases. An adequate histologic sample was obtained in all except eight cases (96.1%). The sensitivity of EUS-FNA was 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.8%–95.7%), and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 90.5%–100%). The positive predictive value was 100% (95% CI, 93.4%–100%), and the negative predictive value was 74% (95% CI, 62.8%–82.7%). The diagnostic accuracy was 93.5% (95% CI, 89.2%–96.5%). Conclusions The transduodenal approach for obtaining samples from solid lesions using a 19-G flexible needle seems feasible and accurate.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is the go-to method for obtaining samples from gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic lesions. When the transduodenal approach is utilized, the use of a more flexible needle, such as a nitinol 19-gauge (G) needle, has been recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of 19-G flexible aspiration needles in obtaining samples from solid lesions through a transduodenal approach. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from eight Italian endoscopy centers. Consecutive patients with solid lesions who underwent transduodenal EUS-FNA with a 19-G flexible needle were included. Results: A total of 201 patients were enrolled. According to histology, EUS, radiology and 12 months of follow-up, 151 patients had malignant lesions and 50 patients had benign lesions. EUS-FNA was feasible in all cases. An adequate histologic sample was obtained in all except eight cases (96.1%). The sensitivity of EUS-FNA was 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.8%–95.7%), and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 90.5%–100%). The positive predictive value was 100% (95% CI, 93.4%–100%), and the negative predictive value was 74% (95% CI, 62.8%–82.7%). The diagnostic accuracy was 93.5% (95% CI, 89.2%–96.5%). Conclusions The transduodenal approach for obtaining samples from solid lesions using a 19-G flexible needle seems feasible and accurate.