Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Research Articles

Transoesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for left adrenal gland (LAG) sampling: A report of three cases with a review of the literature.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a standard-of-care modality for evaluating mediastinal lymph nodes and masses. The EBUS bronchoscope may also be introduced through the oesophageal route to perform sampling of accessible lesions, a technique described as transoesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA). Because of the central oesophageal approach, EUS-B-FNA provides easy access to the left para-tracheal, subcarinal and para-oesophageal lymph nodes. In addition, the left adrenal gland (LAG) can also be imaged and sampled during the EUS-B-FNA procedure. In patients with suspected lung cancer, accurate staging is essential. Adrenal metastasis is relatively common and may often be a solitary metastatic site. We describe three cases where EUS-B-FNA was performed to safely sample the enlarged LAG in suspected lung cancer. We also review the literature on the performance characteristics of EUS-B-FNA for LAG aspiration.

Clinical Profile of 327 patients with Sarcoidosis in India: An Ambispective Cohort Study in a Tuberculosis (TB) Endemic Population.

Introduction:Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease with a varied clinical presentation. We describe the clinical characteristics of patients with sarcoidosis from a tuberculosis (TB) endemic setting.Methods:We performed an analysis of the sarcoidosis database at a tertiary care facility in North India.Results:Of the 327 patients, 50.8% were male, with a mean age of 42.8 years (range: 16–70 years). Females were significantly older. 42.6% had comorbidities, of which diabetes (17.1%) was most common. More than half (57.1%) were obese. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were elevated in 186 (57.9%). Eleven (3.8%) had hypercalcemia, while hypercalciuria was present in 54 (31.7%). The majority (89.9%) were tuberculin skin test negative (<10 mm induration), while 71.9% were tuberculin anergic. 47.7% had normal spirometry, while a restrictive impairment was the most common abnormality (44.6%). Obstruction on spirometry was present in 8.3%. Nearly half (160, 49%) had involvement of an extrapulmonary site. Most patients were (96%) symptomatic. Cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and fever were the predominant symptoms. A majority had Stage 1 (47.7%) sarcoidosis. Two hundred and eighty-seven (87.8%) patients underwent bronchoscopy or endosonographic (endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration [EBUS-TBNA] or transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration [EUS-B-FNA]) sampling. A histopathological diagnosis with the demonstration of granulomas was achieved in 90.8%. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA/EUS-B-FNA was 77.4%. In 13.5% of patients, necrotizing granulomas were present in tissue samples.Conclusion:The clinical profile of patients with sarcoidosis in TB endemic settings has certain differences from nonendemic populations. Bronchoscopy and endosonography allow a confident diagnosis in the majority of patients.

Endobronchial and/or Endoesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal and Hilar Diseases of Unknown Etiologies

<i>Introduction:</i> Diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lesions represents a problematic issue for long ago, not only due to various structures that occupy this space but also difficult accessibility to such lesions. Mediastinal endosonography – guided FNA is emerged as a new minimally invasive modality for diagnosis of such lesions. <i>Objectives: </i>to evaluate the role of endobronchial and/ or endoesophageal -bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar diseases of unknown etiologies. <i>Methods:</i> This Prospective observational study was carried out at Tanta University Educational Hospital and Kobri Elkobba Military Hospitals; from December 2017 to December 2019 on thirty patients (19 males; 11 females, age range 17-82 years) presented with undiagnosed mediastinal and or hilar lesions. All patients were subjected to clinical examination, radiological assessment including Chest-X-Ray, CT Chest. Laboratory investigations: CBC, blood urea, serum creatinine and coagulation profile. Twenty-six patients were subjected only to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) biopsies and four patients were subjected to endoscopic ultrasound using EBUS scope-guided fine- needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) after EBUS-TBNA, using Pentax Endobronchial ultrasound and a fine needle (22- Gauge). The procedure was done under local anesthesia and conscious sedation ROSE technique was applied for some cases. <i>Results:</i> Definitive diagnosis was reached in twenty-nine cases, achieving diagnostic yield (96.67%). Malignant lesions were the predominant category; twenty (66.67%), while nine (30%) were diagnosed as benign lesions and one (3.33%) case remained un diagnosed. Also, immunohistochemistry played an important role to reach definitive diagnosis in six cases without further sampling. About (12/30; 40%) of patients were passed without any complications while the others recorded controlled complications without any serious events. <i>Conclusion: </i>EBUS and EUS-B-FNA are minimally invasive, complementary and cost effective procedures with high diagnostic yield for mediastinal and hilar lesions. Addition of immunohistochemistry raises diagnostic value of this procedure.

The diagnosis of lung cancer in the era of interventional pulmonology.

Advances in bronchoscopic and other interventional pulmonology technologies have expanded the sampling procedures pulmonologist can use to diagnose lung cancer and accurately stage the mediastinum. Among the modalities available to the interventional pulmonologist are endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needles aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transoesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for sampling peribronchial/perioesophageal central lesions and for mediastinal lymph node staging, as well as navigational bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. The role of the interventional pulmonologist in this setting is to apply these procedures based on the correct interpretation of clinical and radiological findings in order to maximise the chances of achieving the diagnosis and obtaining sufficient tissue for molecular biomarker testing to guide targeted therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The safest and the highest diagnosis-yielding modality should be chosen to avoid a repeat sampling procedure if the first one is non-diagnostic. The choice of site and biopsy modality are influenced by tumour location, patient comorbidities, availability of equipment and local expertise. This review provides a concise state-of-the art account of the interventional pulmonology procedures in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

Efficacy and safety of EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) are established modalities for evaluation of mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy in adults. Limited literature is available on the utility of these modalities in the pediatric population. Herein, we perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the yield and safety of EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA in children. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases to extract the studies reporting the utilization of EBUS-TBNA/EUS-B-FNA in children (<18 years of age). The pooled diagnostic yield and sampling adequacy (proportions with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were calculated using meta-analysis of proportions using the random effects model. Details of any procedure-related complications were noted. The search yielded 12 relevant studies (5 case series and 7 case reports on EBUS-TBNA/EUS-B-FNA, 173 patients). Data from five case series (164 patients) were summarized for the calculation of the sampling adequacy and diagnostic yield. Safety outcomes were extracted from all publications. The pooled sampling adequacy and combined diagnostic yield of EBUS TBNA/EUS-B-FNA were 98% (95% CI, 92%-100%) and 61% (95% CI, 43%-77%), respectively. A procedure-related major complication was reported in one patient (1/173, amajor complication rate of 0.6%), and minor complications occurred in six patients (6/173, a minor complication rate of 3.5%). EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA are safe modalities for evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the pediatric population. EBUS-TBNA/EUS-B-FNA may be considered as the first-line diagnostic modalities for this indication, as they have a good diagnostic yield and can avoid the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.

EBUS-TBNA versus EUS-B-FNA for the evaluation of undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy: The TEAM randomized controlled trial.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a standard of care modality for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-B-FNA), wherein one introduces the EBUS bronchoscope through the esophageal route, is also a safe and efficacious diagnostic modality for sampling the mediastinal lymph nodes. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield and patient comfort with these two available approaches. We randomized subjects with predominant subcarinal or lower left paratracheal mediastinal lymph node enlargement to either EBUS-TBNA or EUS-B-FNA (50 to each group). Co-Primary objectives were the comparison of adequate and diagnostic aspirates between groups. Key secondary objectives were a comparison of Operator rated cough and Operator rated procedural comfort on Visual Analog scale (VAS), procedure duration and complications between the groups. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. The proportion of adequate (EBUS-TBNA 46/50; 92% and EUS-B-FNA 48/50;96%, P=0.4) and diagnostic aspirates (EBUS-TBNA 38/50; 76% and EUS-B-FNA 36/50;74%, P=0.4) were similar between the two groups. Operator rated cough was significantly less, and Operator rated patient comfort significantly higher with the EUS-B-FNA approach. Procedure duration was significantly shorter with EUS-B-FNA [18.1(14.4) minutes versus 16.4 (49.6) minutes, P<0.001]. Minor complications occurred in one patient in the EBUS-TBNA group and none in the EUS-B-FNA group. During the endosonographic evaluation for undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy located at predominantly the subcarinal or lower left paratracheal stations, EUS-B-FNA as compared with EBUS-TBNA provides greater patient comfort with a similar diagnostic yield.

Subcarinal lymph node: is it better evaluated by endobronchial ultrasound or endoscopic ultrasound?

Introduction Mediastinal endosonography-guided aspiration has anteceded surgical staging as the step of choice for the diagnosis of mediastinal tissue disorders. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and safety of either endobronchial ultrasound combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) or transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA-B/E) in evaluating and biopsying the subcarinal region (station 7). Patients and methods Seventy-seven patients with enlarged subcarinal lymph nodes ‘short axis more than or equal to 1 cm’ as a preliminary station were divided randomly into two groups: group I included patients evaluated by EBUS-TBNA and group II included patients evaluated by EUS-FNA-B/E. The specimens were examined using the Rapid On Site Evaluation technique and then confirmed by the final histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Results Fifty-one men and 26 women, mean±SD age (51.12±10.15 years), were divided into two groups. In group I, the mean±SD time spent during the procedure was 32.49±9.48 min, the mean±SD number of aspirations was 3.07±0.72, and the mean±SD O2 saturation was 83.59±4.34%; therefore, the mean±SD supplementary oxygen was 3.78±1.04 l/min. However, in group II, these values were 22.05±6.39 min, 2.00±0.67, 91.66±3.09%, and 1.71±1.19 l/min, respectively, with a significant difference. The sensitivity, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in diagnosing malignant lesions were 88, 67, and 90%, which were significantly less than those of EUS-FNA-B/E: 93, 86, and 95%, respectively. No severe complications were encountered with the use of both techniques. Conclusion The study recommends the usage of EUS-FNA-B/E than EBUS-TBNA in evaluating and biopsying the subcarinal region because of its better tolerability, higher diagnostic yield, and lower complication rate.

The utility of endosonography for mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer in patients with radiological N0 disease

ObjectivesRecent practice guidelines recommend endosonography for patients with radiological N0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when the primary tumors are >3 cm in diameter or centrally located. However, any role for endosonography remains debatable. We evaluated the utility of endosonography in patients with radiological N0 NSCLC based on tumor centrality, diameter and histology. Materials and methodsPatients who underwent staging endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) with or without transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for radiological N0 NSCLC were retrospectively investigated using prospectively collected endosonography data. The radiological N0 stage was defined by node diameter as evident on computed tomography images and 18F-FDG uptake using integrated positron emission tomography-computed tomography. ResultsIn total of 168 patients, the median size of the primary tumor was 39 mm, and 41 % of tumors were centrally located. The prevalence of occult mediastinal metastases was 11.3 % (19/168). The sensitivity of endosonography in terms of diagnosing occult mediastinal metastases was only 47 % (9/19); 6 of 10 patients with false-negative endosonography data exhibited metastases in accessible nodes. The diagnostic performance of endosonography did not differ by tumor centrality or diameter. Patients with adenocarcinoma histology showed higher prevalence of occult mediastinal metastases and higher false-negative results in endosonography compared with those with non-adenocarcinoma histology. ConclusionNot all patients with radiological N0 NSCLC benefit from endosonography, given the low prevalence of occult mediastinal metastases and the poor sensitivity of endosonography in this population. The strategy of invasive mediastinal staging needs to be tailored considering the histology of the tumor in this population.

Young Investigator Challenge: A novel, simple method for cell block preparation, implementation, and use over 2 years.

The cell block is an essential adjunct to conventional cytopreparatory techniques. The need for molecular analysis and immunostains will increase the need for successful cell block preparation. Even with this need, to the authors' knowledge very little has changed regarding the way in which cell blocks are produced. The authors developed A Formalin-Fixed, paraffin Embedded Cytology cell block Technique (AFFECT) that uses a cytospin centrifuge and funnel to deposit a cell pellet into a well on a piece of open-cell, absorbent foam. The foam and the pellet are then sent through normal processing. Herein, the authors present the implementation of this method and some of their experience with its performance over the course of 2 years. Although a comparison of the methods indicated good correlation for the production of a cell block between AFFECT and the agarose method, the AFFECT blocks demonstrated markedly improved cellular morphology. Over the first 6 months of use, AFFECT produced a successful cell block in 74% of cases overall, and in 65% of cases with a cell pellet measuring ≤0.1 mL. The year preceding the implementation of AFFECT and its first year of use were compared for endoscopic and bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimens, and demonstrated an improved success rate. The authors developed a novel method of cell block preparation that demonstrates improved histology and has increased the success rate of cell block production compared with the agarose method. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:885-892. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

The Utility of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Patients with Small-cell Lung Cancer.

Objective Most small-cell lung cancers (SCLCs) are located within the central aspect of the chest and manifest as a mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) makes it possible to perform mediastinal and hilar nodal examinations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of SCLC. Methods The diagnostic performances of EBUS-TBNA and/or transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA-B/E) were calculated using the standard definitions. Patients The study consisted of a retrospective review of the medical records for all patients with histologically proven SCLC who previously underwent EBUS-TBNA and/or EUS-FNA-B/E from May 2009 to September 2014. Results The analysis was based on 161 patients and 299 aspirated specimens. The patient group included 144 males (89%); the median age was 66 years. EBUS-TBNA and/or EUS-FNA-B/E were performed in 239 mediastinal nodes, 39 hilar/interlobar nodes, and 21 lung parenchymal lesions. The median short diameter of the biopsied lesions was 17 mm. The overall sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA and/or EUS-FNA-B/E on a per-person basis were 97.4%, 100%, 60%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively. The corresponding values on a per-lesion basis were 91.8%, 100%, 73.0%, 100%, and 93.3%, respectively. There were no serious complications related to EBUS-TBNA. Conclusion In our series of patients with SCLC, EBUS-TBNA had an excellent diagnostic yield in the evaluation of mediastinal, hilar and lung parenchymal lesions. Thus, EBUS-TBNA could be a useful and safe diagnostic method with which to evaluate patients with SCLC.

Combined Endobronchial and Transesophageal Approach of an Ultrasound Bronchoscope for Mediastinal Staging of Lung Cancer

BackgroundWe evaluated the utility of a combined approach using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA-B/E) for mediastinal staging of lung cancer.MethodsAn EBUS-TBNA database was analyzed retrospectively. EUS-FNA-B/E was performed after EBUS-TBNA when mediastinal lymph nodes were not accessible using EBUS-TBNA or when tissue sampling using EBUS-TBNA alone was inadequate.ResultsDuring the study period, 44 patients were enrolled. EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA-B/E were performed on 79 and 52 lymph nodes, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of mediastinal N-staging using EBUS-TBNA alone were 79%, 100%, and 84%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of mediastinal N-staging using a combination of EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA-B/E were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Significant differences in sensitivity (P = 0.008) and accuracy (P = 0.004) of mediastinal N-staging were evident when EBUS-TBNA alone and the combined procedure were compared. The nodal stage shifted higher after use of the EUS-FNA-B/E procedure in six cases (13%). No serious complication associated with the procedures was noted.ConclusionsUse of a combination of EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA-B/E can afford better sensitivity and accuracy of mediastinal N-staging compared with use of EBUS-TBNA alone. Such combined procedures should be considered for examination of lesions that are inaccessible or difficult to access by EBUS-TBNA.

Usefulness of Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-Needle Aspiration in the Pathologic and Molecular Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Lesions Adjacent to the Esophagus

The discovery of driver oncogenes has increased the need to obtain a sufficient amount of tissue specimens for lung cancer diagnosis. Although endoscopic ultrasound (with bronchoscope)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) is reportedly a feasible and well-tolerated modality, additional advantages of EUS-B-FNA are yet to be thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of EUS-B-FNA to obtain sufficient tissue specimens for pathologic and molecular diagnoses of lung cancer. Among lung cancer patients who were diagnosed between December 2010 and December 2012 in our institute, patients who underwent EUS-B-FNA to diagnose lung cancer were enrolled (n=26). EUS-B-FNA was performed when bronchoscopic diagnosis was impossible or difficult to obtain sufficient samples. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 and the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) fusion gene were evaluated using EUS-B-FNA samples of non-small cell lung cancer. EUS-B-FNA was performed on 28 lesions in 26 patients. Among the target lesions, 23 were mediastinal lymph nodes including nodal stations 2L, 4L, 7, 8, and 10L. The remaining 5 were intrapulmonary lesions. EUS-B-FNAs were completed without complications in all the patients. The diagnostic yield of EUS-B-FNA in diagnosing lung cancer was 100% (26/26). Additional diagnostic gain of EUS-B-FNA was 69.2% (18/26) as compared to bronchoscopy alone. EGFR mutations and EML4-ALK fusion gene could be evaluated in all patients with non-small cell lung cancer (n=20) using EUS-B-FNA samples. One case with EGFR mutation and 1 case with ALK fusion gene were diagnosed. Six non-small cell carcinomas were also diagnosed by bronchoscopy, but all bronchoscopic samples were insufficient to evaluate mutation analyses. EUS-B-FNA is a practical and feasible method to obtain abundant tumorous tissue samples for pathologic diagnosis and molecular analysis, particularly when the target lesions are inaccessible by other modalities because of their locations or because of the patient's poor physical condition.

A Case of Peripheral Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed by Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration

A Case of Peripheral Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed by Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration

Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis

Background: Several studies have reported that specimens from mediastinal lesions located adjacent to the esophagus can be sampled using an ultrasound bronchoscope instead of an ultrasound endoscope. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration using an ultrasound bronchoscope in patients with stage I/II sarcoidosis. Methods: Thirty-three patients suspected of having stage I/II sarcoidosis were included in this prospective study. Needle aspiration through the esophagus using an ultrasound bronchoscope was performed for hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes. The final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was based on clinicoradiological compatibility and pathological findings. Results: A total of 62 lymph nodes with a mean shortest diameter of 13.6 mm were examined. Of the 33 patients enrolled, 29 were given a final diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Four of the residual patients had other diseases (1 lung cancer, 1 tuberculosis, 2 non-specific lymphadenitis). Transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration showed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 25 of 29 patients (86%; 95% confidence interval 73–100) with the final diagnosis of sarcoidosis. No complications were observed. Conclusions: Transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is feasible, safe and accurate for the diagnosis of stage I/II sarcoidosis.

Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Cancer

Peripheral lung cancer is still a diagnostic challenge. The transbronchial approach with bronchoscopy or the transthoracic approach with radiologic imaging has been used extensively for the pathologic diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. However, the explorability or feasibility with these modalities depends on the lesion location or patient's respiratory function. Herein, we report a case with severe pulmonary emphysema and lung cancer located at a parenchymal region difficult to access through an airway with a bronchoscope. Successful diagnosis was obtained by a transesophageal ultrasound-guided needle aspiration using an endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope. This technique is accurate and less invasive in the primary diagnosis of lung cancer adjoining the esophagus.