Diagnostic performance and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy for gallbladder lesions

Comparative diagnostic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy for gallbladder tumors

The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder biopsy (PTGB) with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the assessment of gallbladder tumors. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study involving 101 patients diagnosed with gallbladder cancer who underwent either PTGB or EUS-FNA between January 2019 and December 2022. The study cohort was divided into two groups: 52 patients underwent PTGB, and 49 underwent EUS-FNA. Clinical data, diagnostic outcomes, patient demographics, and complications were systematically documented. The sensitivity, accuracy, and incidence of complications were evaluated for both groups. The sensitivity and accuracy rates were 94.23% and 94.23% for PTGB compared to 97.82% and 97.96% for EUS-FNA, with no significant difference between the two techniques. However, EUS-FNA was associated with significantly lower rate of adverse reactions (2.04%) compared to PTGB (15.38%). Both PTGB and EUS-FNA exhibited high diagnostic efficacy for gallbladder tumors. However, EUS-FNA demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of complications, making it a compelling alternative to PTGB, especially when percutaneous biopsy is unsuccessful or not feasible. High-quality prospective, multicenter trials are recommended to further validate these findings and to refine biopsy guidelines for gallbladder tumors.

Preoperative diagnostic failure in gallbladder cancer: Influence of tumor location and size on imaging precision

BACKGROUND

Preoperative imaging diagnosis of early-stage gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains challenging. The effectiveness of different imaging modalities and clinical factors to diagnose GBC have not been fully investigated. We identified risk factors for preoperative diagnostic failure of GBC, including tumor location (hepatic vs. peritoneal) and size relative to different imaging approaches.

METHODS

Patients undergoing curative-intent GBC resection (2000-2023) were identified from an international, multi-institutional database. The primary outcome was successful preoperative GBC diagnosis based solely on imaging without biopsy. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors associated with diagnostic failure, and the impact of different imaging modalities was assessed.

RESULTS

Among 293 patients, preoperative GBC diagnosis was successfully made in 164 (56.0 %) patients. Hepatic-sided tumors were less common among undiagnosed versus diagnosed patients (18.6 % vs. 44.5 %; p = 0.033). On multivariable analysis, hepatic-sided location (OR:0.13 [0.02-0.76]; p = 0.025, ref:peritoneal-sided) and tumor size ≥2.0 cm (OR:0.11 [0.01-0.88]; p = 0.035) were associated with lower odds of preoperative imaging diagnostic failure. Among tumors <2.0 cm, peritoneal-sided lesions had a higher risk of diagnostic failure than hepatic-sided, with the risk gap widening as size decreased. MRI/MRCP (39.5 % vs. 65.2 %) and EUS (5.4 % vs. 16.5 %) were used less often among undiagnosed patients compared to diagnosed ones (both p < 0.001), while CT use was similar (84.5 % vs. 85.4 %; p = 0.993). The failure of preoperative imaging diagnosis decreased as more imaging modalities were combined compared with CT alone: 65.1 % for CT only versus 17.4 % for CT plus MRI/MRCP or EUS.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal-sided tumors and lesions <2.0 cm were associated with higher preoperative diagnostic failure risk among patients with GBC, especially when a single imaging modality was utilized. Combining different imaging modalities may improve preoperative diagnosis among this subset of patients.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Diagnosis of Gallbladder Mixed Neuroendocrine Non-Neuroendocrine Tumor With an Anomalous Pancreaticobiliary Junction

Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms are exceedingly rare tumors, especially those of gallbladder origin. Anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction is an uncommon congenital abnormality that can predispose various types of hepatobiliary malignancies. We present an unusual case of a 46-year-old woman with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction who presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a gallbladder mass concerning for primary malignancy and liver lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound and fine-needle biopsy were valuable diagnostic tools used to sample the gallbladder, liver lesions, and common hepatic duct under one minimally invasive procedure. Pathology showed a gallbladder mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, with neuroendocrine components in the liver and adenocarcinoma components in the common hepatic duct.

Endoscopic diagnosis and management of gallbladder carcinoma in minimally invasive era: New needs, new models

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare and lethal malignancy; however, it represents the most common type of biliary tract cancer. Patients with GBC are often diagnosed at an advanced stage, thus, unfortunately, losing the opportunity for curative surgical intervention. This situation leads to lower quality of life and higher mortality rates. In recent years, the rapid development of endoscopic equipment and techniques has provided new avenues and possibilities for the early and minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of GBC. This editorial comments on the article by Pavlidis et al. Building upon their work, we explore the new needs and corresponding models for managing GBC from the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment perspective.

Advances and current research status of early diagnosis for gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumor in the biliary system, characterized by high malignancy, aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. Early diagnosis holds paramount importance in ameliorating therapeutic outcomes. Presently, the clinical diagnosis of GBC primarily relies on clinical-radiological-pathological approach. However, there remains a potential for missed diagnosis and misdiagnose in the realm of clinical practice. We firstly analyzed the blood-based biomarkers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Subsequently, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of various imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and pathological examination, emphasizing their strengths and limitations in detecting early-stage GBC. Furthermore, we explored the potential of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and liquid biopsy, to revolutionize GBC diagnosis. AI algorithms have demonstrated improved image analysis capabilities, while liquid biopsy offers the promise of non-invasive and real-time monitoring. However, the translation of these advancements into clinical practice necessitates further validation and standardization. The review highlighted the advantages and limitations of current diagnostic approaches and underscored the need for innovative strategies to enhance diagnostic accuracy of GBC. In addition, we emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to improve early diagnosis of GBC and ultimately patient outcomes. This review endeavoured to impart fresh perspectives and insights into the early diagnosis of GBC.

Endoscopic Ultrasound and Intraductal Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Diseases: A Narrative Review

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) play very important roles in the field of biliary tract disease. Because of their excellent spatial resolution, the detection of small lesions and T- or N-staging of tumors have become possible. Additionally, contrast-enhanced EUS and the new imaging technique of detective flow imaging are reported to be useful for differential diagnosis. Furthermore, EUS-guided tissue acquisition is used not only for pathological diagnosis but also to collect tissue samples for cancer genome profiling. This review provides an overview of diagnosis utilizing the features and techniques of EUS and IDUS.

Utility of Transpapillary Biopsy and Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition for Comprehensive Genome Profiling of Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer

Tissue sampling in biliary tract cancer (BTC) is generally performed through transpapillary biopsy (TPB) or endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA). For the first time, we compared the suitability of specimens obtained using TPB and EUS-TA to determine the optimal tissue-sampling method for comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) analysis in patients with unresectable BTC (UR-BTC). Pathology precheck criteria for CGP analysis comprised the OncoGuide NCC Oncopanel System (NCCOP) and FoundationOne CDx (F1CDx). Seventy-eight patients with UR-BTC (35 TPB and 43 EUS-TA) were included. The NCCOP analysis suitability achievement rate was higher in EUS-TA specimens than in TPB specimens (34.9% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.007), whereas that of F1CDx was 0% in both groups. EUS-TA was identified as an independent factor that contributed to the suitability of the NCCOP analysis. The suitability of the NCCOP analysis of EUS-TA specimens showed a tendency to be higher for mass lesions (43.8% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.065), especially for target size ≥ 18.5 mm, and lower for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (0% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.077). In TPB, papillary-type lesions (66.7% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.016) and peroral cholangioscopy-assisted biopsies (50.0% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.029) showed better potential for successful NCCOP analysis. EUS-TA is suitable for NCCOP analysis in UR-BTC and may be partially complemented by TPB.

EUS-guided FNA and biopsy for cytohistologic diagnosis of gallbladder cancer: a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

EUS-guided FNA and biopsy (EUS-FNAB) is a standard diagnostic procedure for pancreatic masses but not gallbladder (GB) cancer (GBC). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of EUS-FNAB for patients with suspected GBC.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from patients who underwent EUS-FNAB for suspected GBC in 3 hospitals between 2010 and 2023. The diagnostic performance and safety of EUS-FNAB according to characteristic factors were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

Of 170 patients, 163 had GBC. EUS-FNAB samples were obtained from the GB in 125 patients and sites other than the GB in 45 patients. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 83.4%, 100%, and 84.1%, respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy for patients with GB samples were 80.8% and 81.6%; for patients without GB samples, these values were 90.7% and 91.1%. The sensitivity and accuracy were higher with fine-needle biopsy needles than with FNA needles and with ≤22-gauge needles than with 25-gauge needles. However, no significant differences were observed between the GB and lymph node samples. GB lesions <40 mm in size, wall-thickening type, fundal location, absence of extensive liver invasion, and distant metastasis were more frequent in patients without GB samples than in patients with GB samples. Four mild bleeding events were the only reported adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNAB was safe and showed high diagnostic performance for patients with suspected GBC, regardless of the target site. When appropriate GB targeting is difficult, targeting the lymph nodes would be a good strategy with comparable outcomes.

Contributions of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) to the diagnostics of biliary stricture and gallbladder lesions

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) provides high spatial resolution and more detailed images than other diagnostic modalities. Furthermore, EUS-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA), such as EUS-guided fine needle aspiration or biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB), is an indispensable tool in pancreaticobiliary disease diagnostics, supporting a conclusive pathological diagnosis. In this review, we evaluate the current status and the usefulness of EUS-TA for the diagnostics of the following biliary tract diseases: (A) biliary stricture diagnostics, (B) biliary tract cancer (BTC) itself, and (C) staging of advanced BTC. Previous reports have shown that EUS-FNA for biliary lesions is a safe procedure that is useful in differentiating biliary cancer from benign lesions and in the staging of BTC. On the other hand, the diagnostic performance of EUS-TA for bile duct lesions is reported to be similar to that of transpapillary biopsy. Overall, EUS-TA for biliary lesions may be a safe and effective method, but it should be performed with an understanding of the risk of serious adverse events such as bile leakage and peritoneal dissemination of cancer. It is recommended for distal biliary stricture lesions for which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cannot confirm the diagnosis or gallbladder lesions if they do not require the needle to pass through the biliary lumen.

Advances and efficacy in specimen handling for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy: A comprehensive review

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy have significantly evolved since they offer a minimally invasive approach for obtaining pathological specimens from lesions adjacent to or within the intestine. This paper reviews advancements in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy techniques and devices, emphasizing the importance of handling specimens for diagnostic accuracy. Innovations of fine needle biopsy needles with features like side holes and Franseen shapes have enhanced histological sampling capabilities. Techniques for specimen handling, including rapid on-site evaluation and macroscopic on-site evaluation, play pivotal roles in assessing sample adequacy, thereby influencing diagnostic outcomes. The utility of artificial intelligence in augmenting rapid on-site evaluation and macroscopic on-site evaluation, although still in experimental stages, presents a promising avenue for improving procedural efficiency and diagnostic precision. The choice of specimen handling technique is dependent on various factors including endoscopist preference, procedure objectives, and available resources, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of each method's characteristics to optimize diagnostic efficacy and procedural safety.

Recent Advances in Endoscopic Ultrasound for Gallbladder Disease Diagnosis

Gallbladder (GB) disease is classified into two broad categories: GB wall-thickening and protuberant lesions, which include various lesions, such as adenomyomatosis, cholecystitis, GB polyps, and GB carcinoma. This review summarizes recent advances in the differential diagnosis of GB lesions, focusing primarily on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and related technologies. Fundamental B-mode EUS and contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CH-EUS) have been reported to be useful for the diagnosis of GB diseases because they can evaluate the thickening of the GB wall and protuberant lesions in detail. We also outline the current status of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for GB lesions, as there have been scattered reports on EUS-FNA in recent years. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, ranging from machine learning to deep learning, have become popular in healthcare for disease diagnosis, drug discovery, drug development, and patient risk identification. In this review, we outline the current status of AI in the diagnosis of GB.