Novel ProCore 25‐gauge needle for endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration reduces the puncture time and frequency, with comparable diagnostic rate for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy

BACKGROUND: The ProCore 25‐gauge needle is a novel specifically designed puncture needle for endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA), which may improve the puncture efficiency of the procedure while ensuring the diagnostic rate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, mRNA yield, and complication rate of 25‐gauge needles compared to those of 22‐gauge needles in the evaluation of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. METHODS: A total of 39 patients undergoing EBUS‐TBNA at our institution were evaluated. All the procedures were performed by an experienced endoscopist formally trained in interventional pulmonology. Both the traditional 22‐gauge and ProCore 25‐gauge needles were used at each lymph node station. For all specimens obtained via EBUS‐TBNA, 50 μL was used to extract mRNA and detect the RNA concentration, whereas the other part was sent to the pathological evaluation. χ(2) test and t‐test were performed to determine the differences between the two types of the needles. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 88 lymph nodes were punctured by the two needles separately. The diagnostic accuracy for each puncture between the two needles did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). No serious procedure‐related complications were reported. In addition, the mRNA concentration did not differ between the two types of needles (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ProCore 25‐gauge needle gained a similar diagnostic yield with less puncture time and frequency compared with the 22‐gauge needle.