Endoscopic ultrasound sampling: From cells to tissue

Abstract

Extraluminal gastrointestinal (GI) tracts were often difficult to diagnose before the introduction of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Surgical procedure or computer tomographic-guided approach was needed to obtain tissue which was either invasive or lacked sensitivity and specificity. EUS-guided tissue acquisition has revolutionized tissue acquisition for upper extraluminal GI lesions. This is because EUS is minimally invasive compared to either surgery or percutaneous approach, close proximity to upper GI extraluminal GI lesions, and tissue acquisition under direct real-time sonographic guidance. Hence, it has become the first-line investigation for tissue acquisition. In the past decade, there have been significant improvements in tissue acquisition through EUS-guided approach. In this article, we have reviewed the key factors that improve tissue acquisition through EUS-guided approach.