Endoscopy 2020; 52(02): 158
DOI: 10.1055/a-1041-3188
Letter to the editor
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Reply to Mok et al.

Kambiz Kadkhodayan
1   Maricopa Integrated Health Systems, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
,
Muhammad K. Hasan
2   Center for Interventional Endoscopy, AdventHealth Orlando, Florida, United States
› Institutsangaben
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
28. Januar 2020 (online)

We thank Dr. Larghi [1] and Mok et al. [2] for their interest in our study and appreciate their thought-provoking comments.

Our study was the first prospective investigation using the three-pronged (Franseen geometry) 22-G fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needle. The difference in tissue adequacy (100 % vs. 68 %) between the two studies [3] [4] is likely to be the result of different needle designs (two-pronged Fork-tip vs. three-pronged Franseen tip) and tissue acquisition-expression techniques used. While we agree with Larghi’s general premise, variation in needle tip design does not impact tissue quantitative yield [5], it may have a significant impact on qualitative measures such as core fragmentation. A recent study, comparing the performance of commercially available FNB needles for liver biopsy, found that the fork-tip needle yielded the lowest number of complete portal triads and the shortest cores [6].

The technique we described is simple and reproducible even by the less experienced endosonographer. To minimize core fragmentation, we simply avoided the use of the elevator and kept the needle straight while slowly inserting the stylet to express the sample. We did not require the use of heparin, suction or tedious rinsing of the sample after expressing.

22-G needles in general are more maneuverable, have a theoretically superior safety profile, and cause less post-procedure pain. Tissue fragmentation continues to be a concern, particularly when interpreted by non-GI trained pathologists. 19-G needles on the other hand, are less maneuverable, cause more post-procedure pain [7] and are daunting to use for the less experienced endosonographers.

The 22-G FNB needle is a viable and safe alternative to the 19-G fine-needle aspiration/FNB needle when used in the right clinical setting. We agree that further randomized multicenter experience is needed to determine the optimal technique, needle type, and patient population for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy.

 
  • References

  • 1 Larghi A. Which needle and technique should we use for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy? A work in progress. Endoscopy 2019; 51: 811-812
  • 2 Mok SRS, Diehl DL, Confer BD. et al. The 22-gauge core needle is not optimal for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. Endoscopy 2020; 52: 157
  • 3 Mok SRS, Diehl DL, Johal AS. et al. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy in chronic liver disease: a randomized comparison of 19-G FNA and 22-G FNB needles. Endosc Int Open 2019; 7: E62-e71
  • 4 Hasan MK, Kadkhodayan K, Idrisov E. et al. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy using a 22-G fine needle biopsy needle: a prospective study. Endoscopy 2019; 51: 818-824
  • 5 Mohan BP, Shakhatreh M, Garg R. et al. Comparison of Franseen and fork-tip needles for EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy of solid mass lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endosc Ultrasound 2019; DOI: 10.4103/eus.eus_27_19.
  • 6 Eskandari A, Koo P, Bang H. et al. Comparison of endoscopic ultrasound biopsy needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. Clin Endosc 2019; 52: 347-352
  • 7 Ching Companioni RA, Diehl DL, Johal AS. et al. 19 G aspiration needle versus 19 G core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy: a prospective randomized trial. Endoscopy 2019; 51: 1059-1065