Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA): What You Need to Know

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, or EUS-FNA, is a minimally invasive procedure used to obtain tissue samples for further analysis. During EUS-FNA, a small needle is inserted through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract into the targeted area, such as a mass or lesion, under the guidance of an endoscope equipped with an ultrasound probe.

Aspiration of tissue during EUS-FNA is typically done using suction applied with a syringe. While the size of the syringe may vary based on the specific requirements of the biopsy or the targeted area, in most cases, a 10-ml syringe is commonly used. The syringe is attached to a 22-gauge needle, which helps draw tissue samples into the needle for analysis.

The choice of syringe size during EUS-FNA depends on factors such as the type of tissue being targeted, the depth of the lesion, and the physician's preference. The suction applied with the syringe aids in retrieving an adequate tissue sample for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Overall, EUS-FNA is a valuable tool in the evaluation of gastrointestinal and adjacent lesions, allowing physicians to obtain tissue samples with high precision and minimal risk to the patient.