High yield of same-session EUS-guided liver biopsy by 19-gauge FNA needle in patients undergoing EUS to exclude biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided liver biopsy by Trucut yields variable specimen adequacy at high cost, limiting its utility. A modified EUS-guided technique with reliable adequacy could be a viable alternative to standard techniques in cost-effective clinical settings. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with EUS-guided liver biopsy by 19-gauge FNA, non-Trucut, needle in a cost-effective setting: patients with abnormal liver test results of unclear etiology referred for EUS to exclude biliary obstruction in whom an unrevealing EUS would have prompted a next-step liver biopsy by the referring physician. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients with abnormal liver tests referred for EUS. INTERVENTIONS: EUS-guided liver biopsy by 19-gauge FNA needle (non-Trucut). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Diagnostic yield, specimen adequacy, and complications. An adequate specimen was defined as a length of 15 mm or longer and 6 or more complete portal tracts (CPTs). RESULTS: Between July 2008 and July 2011, 22 of 31 consecutive patients meeting inclusion criteria underwent unrevealing EUS with same-session EUS-guided liver biopsy by 19-gauge FNA needle. A median of 2 FNA passes (range 1-3) yielded a median specimen length of 36.9 mm (range 2-184.6 mm) with a median of 9 CPTs (range 1-73 CPTs). EUS-guided liver biopsies yielded a histologic diagnosis and adequate specimens in 20 of 22 patients (91%). Expanded experience led to improved specimen adequacy. There were no complications. LIMITATION: Small study size. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided liver biopsy by using a 19-gauge FNA needle appears to be feasible and safe and provides excellent diagnostic yield and specimen adequacy.

Difficult Biliary Cannulation in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Definitions, Risk Factors, and Implications.

Over the past 50 years, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the preferred minimally invasive method of treating a vast array of pancreatobiliary diseases. An initial sine qua non for ERCP success is selective ductal cannulation. Despite significant progress in the optimisation of ERCP methods and accessories, selective biliary cannulation using conventional techniques remains unsuccessful in approximately 15% of native papilla cases. Furthermore, difficult biliary cannulation has been associated with an increased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, among other adverse events. Here, in the first of a two-part series, the authors provide a primer on standard biliary cannulation techniques and discuss the definition, risk factors, and implications of difficult biliary cannulation. The second part of the series will provide an overview of the existing advanced techniques used in cases of difficult biliary cannulation as well as the approach to their selection.

Difficult Biliary Cannulation in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: An Overview of Advanced Techniques.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plays a significant role in the treatment of a vast array of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, despite significant progress in the optimisation of ERCP methods and accessories, the technical and clinical success of ERCP can vary significantly due to a variety of patient and operator factors. Over the past several decades, a number of advanced techniques have been developed to improve cannulation success rates, including the use of double-guidewire, pancreatic duct accessory-assisted, precut, and rendezvous techniques. Here, the authors provide an update and overview of the existing advanced techniques used in cases of difficult biliary cannulation, as well as the approach to their selection.

A Novel Endoscopic Technique to Diagnose Gastric Cancer in Excluded Stomach after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Access to the bypassed portion of the stomach after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remains a challenge. We present a case of 64-year-old woman who presented with gastric outlet obstruction. We used a novel endoscopic technique to access the bypassed stomach by creating a jejunogastrostomy using a specialized stent, which allowed the insertion of a pediatric gastroscope to examine the bypassed portion of the stomach. Stomach biopsies revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet cell features.