Clinical performance of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition for perivascular soft-tissue cuffing suspected to be extravascular migratory metastases of pancreatic or bile duct cancer (with video)

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) for perivascular soft-tissue cuffing (PSTC).

Methods

This single-center, retrospective study evaluated patients in whom EUS-TA was performed for PSTC in pancreatic or bile duct cancer lesions between October 2017 and March 2024. PSTC was defined as a perivascular soft-tissue area contiguous with nearby blood vessels from the suspected primary tumor. EUS-TA procedures and outcomes, including technical success, diagnostic performance, adverse events, and comparison with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), were analyzed.

Results

Of 1803 patients, 53 underwent EUS-TA for PSTC. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 92.1%, 100%, and 92.5%, respectively. The technical success rate was 98.1% (52/53). The adverse event rate was 1.9%. EUS-TA for PSTC was significantly superior to CECT for PSTC in terms of diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, the diagnostic performance and adverse event rates for EUS-TA for PSTC were comparable to those for TA in solid tumors. Shorter puncture lengths were associated with lower accuracy.

Conclusion

EUS-TA for PSTC in pancreatic or bile duct cancer demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy and a low rate of adverse events, showing superior diagnostic performance compared to CECT. These findings suggest that EUS-TA for PSTC can be performed safely and is a clinically beneficial procedure. Despite the technical challenges, EUS-TA for PSTC can influence clinical judgment and should be considered in skilled institutions for future patient treatment decisions. Prospective multicenter studies are warranted to further evaluate its efficacy and safety.