Comparison of 20-gauge Procore® and 22-gauge Acquire® needles for EUS-FNB of solid pancreatic masses: an observational study.

Background and Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) has been proposed to obtain high-quality tissue samples for pancreatic tumors. We performed an observational study to compare EUS-FNB with a 20-gauge Procore® needle versus a 22-gauge Acquire® needle. Our primary endpoint was the quantity of the obtained tissue, as defined by the mean cumulative length of tissue core biopsies per needle pass. Methods: Sixty-eight EUS-FNB were consecutively performed on patients with a pancreatic mass. The choice of needle depended on availability at the time of admission: 34 punctures were performed with each needle. Histological material was studied in a blinded manner with respect to the needle, and the cumulative length of tissue core biopsies per needle pass was determined. Intraobserver and interobserver variability of this criterion was then evaluated. Results: There were no between-group differences. Histological diagnosis was achieved and core biopsy specimens were obtained in 28 out of 34 patients (82%) in the 20-gauge Procore® group and in 33 out of 34 patients (97%) in the 22-gauge Acquire® group (p = .1). The mean cumulative length of tissue core biopsies per needle pass was significantly higher with the 22-gauge Acquire® needle with 8.2 ± 4.2 mm versus 4.2 ± 3.8 mm for the 20-gauge Procore® needle (p < .01). No intra and inter-observer variability of this criterion was observed. Conclusions: Our results suggest significant differences, with a mean cumulative length of tissue core biopsies per needle pass significantly higher with the 22-gauge Acquire® needle. This simple criterion seems reliable and reproducible.

Favorable prognosis of upper-gastrointestinal bleeding in 1041 older patients: results of a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Upper-gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in the elderly is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to determine the prognostic factors of UGIB in a large cohort of elders. METHODS: From March 2005 to February 2006, we conducted a prospective multicenter study in 53 French hospitals that consecutively enrolled 3287 patients for UGIB. A total of 1041 patients (47.8% women) were older than 74 years. Their epidemiologic characteristics and prognosis were compared with the 2246 younger patients (26.8% women). RESULTS: Elders more frequently took drugs causing UGIB: 65% versus 32% for younger patients (P < 10(-6)). Peptic ulcers, erosive gastritis, and esophagitis accounted for 63.6% of UGIB causes in elders versus 39.7% in younger patients (P < 10(-4)). Conversely, esogastric varices and gastropathy were responsible for 11% of UGIB in elders versus 44% in younger patients (P < 10(-6)). The rebleeding rate, morbidity, and in-hospital mortality were not statistically different between elders and younger patients: 11.8% versus 9.7% (P = .07), 22.6% versus 21.6% (P = .5), and 8.9% versus 8.2% (P = .5), respectively. Transfusion requirements, need for surgery, and length of stay were significantly different between elders and younger patients: 73% versus 57.5% (P < 10(-6)), 4% versus 2.5% (P < .02), 10.6 +/- 15.6 versus 8.5 +/- 12.4 days (P < 10(-6)), respectively. Whatever the etiology (peptic lesions or portal hypertension) in-hospital mortality was the same: 6.5% versus 7.3% and 10.9% versus 11.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elders can do as well as younger patients with acute UGIB. Although the reasons are not completely clear, they may be related to differences in treatment.