UC Davis Health’s endoscopy team has achieved a significant milestone by performing the world’s first endoscopic, ultrasound-guided core biopsy of a pancreatic tumor using a new instrument, the EndoDrill® GI. This groundbreaking procedure was performed by Antonio Mendoza-Ladd, the medical director of gastrointestinal endoscopy. The team successfully collected larger than normal tissue cores, enhancing diagnostic capabilities. The EndoDrill® GI, developed by BibbInstruments AB, allows for better access to deep tissues in the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, lymph nodes, and liver. This novel technology employs electric high-speed drilling to remove fine samples while maintaining tissue architecture with high precision. The procedure offers several benefits over traditional methods, including the ability to obtain higher-quality core samples on the first pass, leading to more accurate diagnoses and potentially improved treatment outcomes for serious cancers.
Key Insights
- Innovative Biopsy Technology: The use of the EndoDrill® GI represents a significant advancement in biopsy technology, particularly for deep-seated gastrointestinal tumors.
- Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy: The ability to collect larger tissue cores with preserved architecture improves the diagnostic yield, crucial for cancers where early and accurate diagnosis can significantly impact treatment outcomes.
- Patient-Centric Approach: This new procedure potentially reduces the need for repeat biopsies, offering a less invasive and more patient-friendly approach to diagnosing serious gastrointestinal cancers.
- Potential for Wider Application: The success of this procedure at UC Davis Health suggests the potential for broader application of this technology in diagnosing various types of gastrointestinal tumors, potentially transforming the standard of care in this field.
Image Source & Credit: UC Davis Health