Minimally Invasive Sampling Techniques for Pancreatic and Pulmonary Nodules: A Review of the Evolution of Guidance and Sampling Methods.

Tissue biopsy is frequently required in the workup of newly discovered nodules and masses detected by palpation, visual inspection, or imaging. Biopsy techniques include open surgical biopsy, core needle biopsy, fine-needle biopsy (FNB), fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and cryobiopsy. The last four techniques are utilized because of their minimally invasive nature and low patient morbidity. While FNA and FNB are often utilized at a number of body sites, cryobiopsy is becoming the dominant method for sampling of lung nodules. In this review, the authors investigate the utility, advantages, disadvantages, and diagnostic accuracy of minimally invasive biopsy techniques for lesions of the pancreas and lung.