A single incision needle knife biopsy promises diagnostic efficacy in GIT subepithelial tumors

Histological diagnosis plays a vital role in determining the malignantpotential of gastrointestinal SETs.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy are thecurrent therapeutic modalities. (EUS-FNA/FNB). This diagnostic procedure offerssuboptimal success.

SINK biopsy is the emerging alternative approach to diagnosis toincrease tissue acquisition and success. Considering this, a systematic reviewand meta-analysis were done to evaluate the success, both technical anddiagnostic and adverse events of SINK biopsy. The lead researcher of the reviewwas Dr Yassin Shams Eldien Naga, and the team also determined whetherimmunohistochemistry is successful on tissue samples obtained.

The study summary is as follows:

• The database used were PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
• Technical and diagnostic success was the primary outcome measured in the study.
• Adverse events were the secondary outcomes.
• Seven studies were included, including a total of 219 SINK biopsy procedures.
• The rate of technical success was 98.1%.
• The rate of diagnostic success was 87.9%.
• The rate of immunohistochemical success was 88.3%.
• The rate of adverse events was 7.5%.
• The most common adverse event was bleeding.

To conclude, SINK biopsy is safe with a reasonable success rate inpatients with gastrointestinal SET.

Researchers warranted further investigations, RCTs and direct comparisonstudies to validate these findings.

Further reading:

Naga, Yassin Shams Eldien, et al. "Single Incision Needle Knife Biopsyfor the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Tumors: A Systematic Reviewand Meta-Analysis." Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Elsevier BV, Nov.2022. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2022.11.021.