Comparison of clinical efficacy, subjective user experience, and safety for two different core biopsy needles, the Achieve® and Marquee®

Purpose To compare clinical efficacy, subjective radiologist preference, and complication rates for two different core biopsy needles, the Achieve® and Marquee®. Methods Retrospective review included consecutive patients who underwent 18 gauge non-targeted core liver biopsy, 30 with Achieve® (Merit Medical) and 30 with Marquee® (BD Bard) Pathologist (blinded to needle type) reviewed specimen total length, maximum width, and portal triad count. Sixteen radiologists subjectively rated (1 to 5(best)) each needle for cocking, firing, recoil, chamber exposure, handling, and overall. A medical records search of all (targeted and non-targeted) core liver biopsies 1/1/17–9/30/2020 compared rates of major (requiring transfusion and/or embolization) and minor (self-limited bleeding) hemorrhagic complications. Comparison between needle types was performed using t-test. Results For Achieve® and Marquee® needles, the respective mean (SD) for total length(mm) was 29.7(7.0) and 31.9(4.6), p = 0.1; max width(mm) was 0.78(0.1) and 0.85(0.1), p < 0.01; and number of portal triads was 15.3(5.3) and 17.3(5.3), p = 0.2. Radiologists subjectively preferred the Marquee® for several measures including cocking, chamber exposure, and overall ( p < 0.02 for each), while the needles were rated similarly for firing, recoil, and handling. Review of 800 cases showed no difference in major (1.0% Achieve®, 1.9% Marquee®, p = 0.5) or minor (1.5% Achieve®, 0.5% Marquee®, p = 0.3) rates of hemorrhagic complications. Conclusion Liver biopsy specimens were significantly wider with Marquee® compared to Achieve®. Radiologists preferred the Marquee® for multiple tactile measures, while the major complication rate was not significantly different. While both needles have a similar side-notch design, the Marquee® needle demonstrates better sample quality and higher user preference, without compromising safety. Graphic abstract