LAUSR

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a procedure of choice for diagnostic evaluation of endoluminal and periluminal lesions. Tissue sample can be obtained by EUS-FNA cytology or cellblock (CB). The aim of the present study is to compare diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA CB and/or cytology in the absence of on-site pathologist following a protocol-based EUS-FNA approach in solid lesions. Methods: Subjects who underwent EUS FNA at our center were included in this 2-year retrospective study. The etiological, clinical, and investigation details were recorded on uniform structured data forms. Superiority of the yield was calculated by McNemar’s test for P value. Results: Pancreatic masses were the most common indications (34%), followed by nodes (29%) in 114 EUS-FNA solid lesions. The diagnostic yield for EUS-FNA cytology was 68%, CB was 77%, and combined was 81%. There was no statistical significance in the yield between cytology and CB. CB was superior in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, lymphoma, stromal tumors, and liver mass evaluations. Conclusions: EUS-FNA needles provide good specimen for CB, and combination of CB with cytology increases the yield. CB is preferred over cytology in selected patients.