A prospective, controlled assessment of the technical characteristics of a novel forward-viewing echoendoscope.

INTRODUCTION: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a highly useful technique for the diagnosis and management of different gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions.

OBJECTIVE: to prospectively assess the clinical usefulness of a novel forward-viewing echoendoscope (FV-CLA).

METHODS: this was a cross-sectional observational study. All patients that underwent EUS over a two-month period were considered for the study. All mediastinal, perigastric and periduodenal stations were consistently assessed with a rating from 0 to 10 points with regard to the ease to obtain ultrasonographic sections and the quality of ultrasound images. The identified lesions were punctured when clinically indicated.

RESULTS: a total of 45 patients were included. EUS was completed in 100% of patients, with two minor complications recorded. Echoendoscope maneuverability was graded as "A" (9-10 points), overall plane visibility was graded as "B" (7-8 points) and only stations 4L and 5 visualization were graded as "D" (< 7 points). Visualization of the pancreas and the rest of the EUS stations were rated as excellent or very good. The feasibility to perform EUS-FNA, even from the second portion of the duodenum, was graded excellent or very good.

CONCLUSION: the FV-CLA allows a complete, high-quality examination of the upper GI tract, including EUS-FNA punctures. Some mediastinal stations are hardly accessible with this new device. A formal validation of the FV-CLA for EUS-guided therapy would be of interest.