A Prospective Comparison of EUS-Guided FNA Using 25-Gauge and 22-Gauge Needles

Abstract EN

Background and Aims.

There are limited data on the differences in diagnostic yield between 25-gauge and 22-gauge EUS-FNA needles.

This prospective study compared the difference in diagnostic yield between a 22-gauge and a 25-gauge needle when performing EUS-FNA.

Methods.

Forty-three patients with intraluminal or extraluminal mass lesions and/or lymphadenopathy were enrolled prospectively.

EUS-FNA was performed for each mass lesion using both 25- and 22-gauge needles.

The differences in accuracy rate, scoring of needle visibility, ease of puncture and quantity of obtained specimen were evaluated.

Results.

The overall accuracy of 22- and 25-gauge needle was similar at 81% and 76% respectively (N.S).

Likewise the visibility scores of both needles were also similar.

Overall the quantity of specimen obtained higher with the 22-gauge needle (score: 1.64 vs.

P<.001).

However the 25-gauge needle was significantly superior to the 22-gauge needle in terms of ease of puncture (score: 1.9 vs.

1.29, P<.001) and in the quantity of specimen in the context of pancreatic mass EUS-FNA (score: 1.8 vs.

1.58, P<.05).

Conclusion.

The 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles have similar overall diagnostic yield.

The 25-gauge needle appeared superior in the subset of patients with hard lesions and pancreatic masses.