title: A novel flexible cryoprobe for EUS-guided pancreatic biopsies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) is an established technique for the cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Attempts to obtain adequate histologic specimens have yielded variable and mostly insufficient results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and quality of histologic biopsy specimens obtained by using a new cryobiopsy probe and to compare them with standard EUS-FNA and (laparoscopic) trucut biopsy specimens of pancreatic tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal non-survival study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-four pancreatic biopsy specimens (12 per group) were obtained in 4 anesthetized pigs by using one of the following the 18-gauge flexible cryoprobe; a conventional, 19-gauge, EUS-FNA needle; or a rigid, trucut biopsy device (18 gauge). The latter, used in laparoscopic surgery, was considered as the criterion standard for obtaining histology specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens were evaluated for artifacts and specimen quality by a blinded pathologist who used a 7-point Likert scale to assess histologic adequacy. Biopsy size and bleeding time after biopsy also were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new cryoprobe was equivalent to the rigid, trucut needle and superior (P < .001) to the conventional 19-gauge FNA needles with respect to artifacts, quality of the specimen, biopsy specimen size, and bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animal model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS-guided cryobiopsy was associated with better specimen quality for histologic analysis and a shorter bleeding time compared with a conventional 19-gauge FNA needle in the animal model. It is a promising new technique for histologic examination of pancreatic tissue.
authors: Department of Interdisciplinary Endoscopy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. renteln@gmx.net
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: von Renteln
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Quaas
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Rösch
authors: Ulrike W
authors: UW
authors: Denzer
authors: Mara N
authors: MN
authors: Szyrach
authors: Markus D
authors: MD
authors: Enderle
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Lüth
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Haas
authors: Constantin
authors: C
authors: Trepte
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Reutter
authors: Guido
authors: G
authors: Schachschal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D002102:Cadaver; D003080:Cold Temperature; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors