Contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound likely does not improve diagnostic adequacy during endoscopic ultrasound guided tissue acquisition: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and aims: Solid pancreatic masses are sampled through tissue acquisition by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Inadequate samples may significantly delay diagnosis, increasing costs and carrying risks to the patients.

Aim: assess the diagnostic adequacy of tissue acquisition using contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS) compared to conventional EUS.

Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched in November 2023. Studies comparing diagnostic adequacy, accuracy and safety using CEH-EUS versus conventional EUS for tissue acquisition of solid pancreatic masses were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials (RoB2) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for non-randomized studies, level of evidence using the GRADE approach, Odds Ratios (RR) with 95 % Confidence Intervals (CI) calculated and pooled using a random-effects model. I² quantified heterogeneity.

Results: The search identified 3858 records; nine studies (1160 patients) were included. OR for achieving an adequate sample was 1.467 (CI: 0.850-2.533), for randomized trials 0.902 (CI: 0.541-1.505), for non-randomized 2.396 (CI: 0.916-6.264), with significant subgroup difference. OR for diagnostic accuracy was 1.326 (CI: 0.890-1977), for randomized trials 0.997 (CI: 0.593-1.977) and for non-randomized studies 1.928 (CI: 1.096-3.393), significant subgroup difference (p = 0.0467). No differences were observed for technical failures or adverse events. Heterogeneity was low, risk of bias "low" to "some concerns" for most outcomes, mostly moderate for non-randomized studies.

Conclusion: Non-randomized studies indicated differences in favor of contrast-enhanced EUS, randomized studies showed no difference in diagnostic adequacy, accuracy or sensitivity when using CEH-EUS.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasonography; Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; Fine needle biopsy; Pancreatic neoplasms.