Quantitative contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS in differential diagnosis of focal pancreatic masses (with videos).

Background: The role of EUS with contrast agents can be expanded through the use of time-intensity curve (TIC) analysis and computer-aided interpretation.

Objective: To validate the use of parameters derived from TIC analysis in an artificial neural network (ANN) classification model designed to diagnose pancreatic carcinoma (PC) and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Setting: Prospective, multicenter, observational trial-endoscopy units from Romania, Denmark, Germany, and Spain.

Multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the performance of 22 gauge versus 25 gauge EUS-FNA needles in solid masses.

Background And Aims: Few randomized studies have assessed the clinical performance of 25-gauge (25G) needles compared with 22-gauge (22G) needles during endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy of intra-abdominal lesions. We aimed to compare the diagnostic yield, as well as performance characteristics of 22G versus 25G EUS biopsy needles by determining their diagnostic capabilities, the number of needle passes as well as cellularity of aspirated tissue specimen.

Methods: The study is a prospective, randomized, multicenter study.

Role of EUS-FNA in Recurrent Lung Cancer: Maximum Results with Minimum (minimally invasive) Effort.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is an excellent method for primary lung cancer staging. We describe a 66-year-old male who underwent EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of recurrent lung cancer. Two years after initial radiation therapy followed by complete remission, routine follow-up imaging study revealed a mass in the right hilum.

Clinical impact of EUS-FNA of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with known or suspected lung cancer or mediastinal lymph nodes of unknown etiology.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs) has emerged as a valuable minimally invasive tool for staging. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of EUS-FNA of mediastinal LNs in patients with known or suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or with mediastinal LNs of unknown etiology and review its clinical impact.

Methods: A review was performed on 107 consecutive patients.

Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography.

Contrast agents are increasingly being used to characterize the vasculature in an organ of interest, to better delineate benign from malignant pathology and to aid in staging and directing therapeutic procedures. We review the mechanisms of action of first, second and third generation contrast agents and their use in various endoscopic procedures in the gastrointestinal tract. Various applications of contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasonography include differentiating benign from malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy, assessment of depth of invasion of esophageal, gastric and gall bladder cancers and visualization of the portal venous system and esophageal varices.

State-of-the art endoscopic imaging in lung cancer: should specialties collide or concur?

Endoscopic ultrasound has been recently established as a routine diagnostic and staging procedure in lung cancer patients, mainly because of the possibility of tissue sampling. Transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) represents a method which not only allows the visualization of the upper gastrointestinal tract, but also offers good visualisation of the posterior and inferior mediastinum. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) permits the assessment of the tumors in the anterior mediastinum.

[The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transesophageal fine needle aspiration and immunocytochemistry assesment of the patients with suspected lung cancer and negative bronchoscopic biopsies].

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound-(EUS) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) allows the assessment of the posterior mediastinum, as well as the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer patients. The purpose of this feasibility study was to assess the importance of EUS-FNA combined with cytology and immunocytochemistry for patients with suspected lung cancer and negative bronchoscopic biopsies.

Material And Methods: Our study included 20 consecutive patients assessed at the Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Craiova, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova.