Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of non-palpable supraclavicular lymph nodes in sarcoidosis

Application of neck ultrasound in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Objective

To explore the significance of neck ultrasound (NUS) combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Methods

88 patients with evidence of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and suspected sarcoidosis with enlarged cervical lymph nodes underwent NUS, CEUS, fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy when technically feasible were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Seven characteristics such as enhanced mode (EM), resolution time, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), fading time, peaking state-uniformity, strengthen the area and symmetry were considered to perform the logistic regression model.

Results

Of 88 patients included in this study, sarcoidosis was accounted in 20 cases, tuberculosis in 23 cases, malignancy in 22 cases and inflammatory lymph node in 23 cases. There were statistically significant differences in symmetry, lymphatic hilum, homogeneity, CDFI pattern and elasticity score between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via NUS. Similarly, we also acknowledged a statistically significant differences in EM, homogeneity, presence or absence of necrosis between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via CEUS to further group the non-sarcoidosis into tuberculosis, malignancy or inflammatory disorder. The percentage correction of prediction was 90% (18/20).

Conclusion

NUS combined with CEUS has characteristic features in sarcoidosis with cervical lymph node involvement, which is helpful for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The binary classification model of NUS combined with CEUS features can help differentiate sarcoidosis from non-sarcoidosis groups.

Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Lymph Node Sampling Performed by Respiratory Physicians

Background

A variety of disease processes investigated by respiratory physicians can lead to cervical lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound (US) has revolutionised respiratory investigations, and neck ultrasound (NUS) is increasingly recognised as an additional important skill for respiratory physicians.

Objectives

We aimed to assess the feasibility of NUS performed by respiratory physicians in the workup of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Methods

This is a single-centre retrospective cohort study. All patients that underwent US-guided cervical lymph node sampling were included. The diagnostic yield is reported, and specimen adequacy is compared for respiratory physicians and radiologists.

Results

Over 5 years, 106 patients underwent NUS-guided lymph node sampling by respiratory physicians compared to 35 cases performed by radiologists. There was no significant difference in the adequacy of sampling between the two groups (respiratory physicians 91.5% [95% CI 84.5-96%] compared to 82.9% [95% CI 66.4-93.4%] for radiologists [p = 0.2]). In the respiratory physician group, a diagnosis was achieved based on lymph node sampling in 89 cases (84%). Neck lymph node sampling was the only procedure performed to obtain tissue in 48 cases (45.3%).

Conclusion

NUS and sampling performed by respiratory physicians are feasible and associated with an adequacy rate comparable to that of radiologists. It can reduce the number of invasive procedures performed in a selected group of patients. Guidelines for training and competency assessment are required.

The Role of In-Office Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Neck Masses

To evaluate the efficacy of otolaryngologist-performed in-office ultrasound (US) in the clinical assessment of lateral neck masses, we performed a retrospective review of patients with lateral neck masses who had both a surgeon-performed US and US-guided fine-needle aspiration (USGFNA) at our tertiary academic center from 2012 to 2015. Fifty-nine patients were included. USGFNA results included 32 (54%) malignant lesions, 23 (39%) benign lesions, and 4 (6%) nondiagnostic lesions. USGFNA demonstrated 85% accuracy. In 22 (37%) patients, in-office US revealed additional findings that were not identified on physical examination (eg, nonpalpable lymph nodes or elucidated anatomical structures), which either assisted in surgical planning or altered treatment. In-office US and USGFNA on initial evaluation by the otolaryngologist augment physical examination and have potential value as the primary imaging and diagnostic modality in the workup of lateral neck masses.

A systematic review of ultrasound-guided FNA of lesions in the head and neck--focusing on operator, sample inadequacy and presence of on-spot cytology service

The objective of this review is to perform a systematic review of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) services for head and neck lesions with assessment of inadequacy rates and related variables such as the presence of immediate cytological assessment. A computer-based systematic search of articles in English language was performed using MEDLINE (1950 to date) from National Health Service evidence healthcare database and PubMed. Full texts of all relevant articles were obtained and scrutinized independently by two authors according to the stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary search identified 932 articles, but only 78 met all the study criteria. The overall inadequacy rate was 9.3%, 16 studies had on-site evaluation by a cytopathologist/specialist clinician with a rate of 6.0%. In seven studies, a cytotechnician was available to either assess the sample or prepare the slides with an average inadequacy rate of 11.4%. In 1 study, the assessment was unclear, but the inadequacy rate for the remaining 54 studies, without immediate assessment, was 10.3%. The rate for the cytopathologist/specialist clinicians was significantly different to no on-site assessment but this was not found for assessment by cytotechnicians. The review suggests that the best results are obtained with a cytopathologist-led FNA service, where the pathologist reviews the specimen immediately, in relation to the clinical context, thereby deciding on adequacy and need for further biopsies. A systematic review looking at ultrasound-guided FNA of head and neck lesions has not been published previously.

Is endosonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for sarcoidosis as good as we think?

BACKGROUND

Preliminary data show that endosonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may be an accurate method for diagnosing sarcoidosis. However, these data were obtained in a small selected group of patients with a very high pretest probability of sarcoidosis. This retrospective study reports on the use of EUS-FNA in an unselected group of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin.

METHODS

The EUS database of a single tertiary referral centre was reviewed for patients who underwent EUS-FNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin. Clinical presentation and imaging studies of each case were carefully reviewed and the diagnosis "sarcoidosis" or "no sarcoidosis" attributed if possible. The diagnoses were compared with the result of EUS-FNA.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty four patients were investigated. In 35 cases EUS-FNA identified granulomas (group 1); in the other 89 cases (group 2) no granulomas were detected. The definite diagnoses in group 1 were sarcoidosis (n = 25), indefinite (n = 7), no sarcoidosis (n = 3). The definite diagnoses in group 2 were sarcoidosis (n = 3), indefinite (n = 9), no sarcoidosis (n = 77). Of the 77 cases with no sarcoidosis, 44 were diagnosed with other diseases. The other 33 showed non-specific changes in the FNA and sarcoidosis was excluded by negative non-EUS pathology (n = 17) and clinical presentation. The sensitivity and specificity for EUS-FNA were 89% (95% CI 82 to 94) and 96% (95% CI 91 to 98), respectively, after exclusion of the indefinite cases in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an accurate method for diagnosing sarcoidosis in an unselected group of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The reported sensitivity and specificity must be appreciated in the context of the difficult and often incomplete clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Aspiration biopsy of nodular sarcoidosis of the muscle

The nodular form of muscular sarcoidosis is rare and the condition is often confused with a soft tissue neoplasm. We present a case of nodular muscular sarcoidosis of the right calf in a 52-yr-old woman which was diagnosed by thin-needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB). In this patient, a calf mass was the initial manifestation of sarcoidosis. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans of the calf showed a mass with peripheral ring-like enhancement. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images demonstrated a mass with central hypointensity and marked peripheral hyperintensity. TNAB revealed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas in association with multinucleated giant cells. Combined with the radiologic findings, TNAB is considered a useful modality for the diagnosis of nodular muscular sarcoidosis.

Diagnosing sarcoidosis using endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The ability to diagnose sarcoidosis cytologically has been reported previously, but the method is rarely used. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a sensitive technique for detecting mediastinal lymph nodes, which in addition provides an opportunity to carry out guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. We report herein on the use of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients with suspected sarcoidosis were investigated using EUS-FNA with a linear echoendoscope and a 22-gauge Hancke-Vilman needle.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

In all 19 patients, EUS revealed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (mean size, 2.4 cm), located subcarinally (n = 15), in the aortopulmonary window (n = 12), or in the lower posterior mediastinum (n = 5). The nodes had an isoechoic or hypoechoic appearance, with atypical vessels in five cases. The amount of aspirate obtained using EUS-FNA was adequate in all patients, and contained blood in excess of normal in some, indicating a high degree of vascularity. Cytology demonstrated epithelioid cell granuloma formation, suggesting sarcoidosis. Mycobacterial cultures were negative in all of the patients except one, in whom the final diagnosis was tuberculosis. The specificity and sensitivity of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis were 94% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS of mediastinal lymph nodes in sarcoidosis reveals certain characteristic features. However, it is not capable of differentiating the lesions from tuberculosis or malignancy. EUS-FNA is a safe and sensitive method of aspirating material for cytology and mycobacterial cultures. We believe it will provide a useful alternative in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with or without previous malignancy: EUS-FNA-based differential cytodiagnosis in 153 patients

OBJECTIVE

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) is a cause for concern, especially in patients with previous malignancy. The investigation of choice is thoracic CT with a variable sensitivity and specificity requiring tissue diagnosis. We used endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for cytodiagnosis of ML in patients with and without previous malignancy. The cause, distribution of lesions, and incidence of second cancers were investigated.

METHODS

Linear echoendoscopes and 22-gauge needles for cytology were used for EUS-FNA. A cytological diagnosis of malignancy was accepted, and histology or consistent follow-up of at least 9 months confirmed benign results.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-three patients underwent EUS-FNA between November 1997 and November 1999 (mean age, 60 yr; range, 13-82 yr; 105 men). Cytology was adequate in 150 patients. Final diagnosis was malignancy in 84 and benign in 66 patients (sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy: 92%, 100%, 95%, respectively). In 101 patients without previous cancer cytology identified 48 malignant (lung, 41; extrathoracic, 7) and 51 benign lesions (inflammation, 35; various, 9; sarcoidosis, 7) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 88%, 100%, 94%). Fifty-two patients had prior malignancy, mostly in extrathoracic sites. Cytology revealed recurrences in 21 patients, second cancer in 9 and benign lesions in 21 patients (inflammatory, 11; sarcoidosis, 8; tuberculosis, 1; abscess, 1) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 97%, 100%, 98%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients without previous cancer malignant ML originates from the lung >80%. In those with previous malignancy recurrence of extrathoracic sites is the major cause. Benign lesions and treatable second cancers occur in a significant frequency, emphasizing the need for tissue diagnosis. EUS-FNA is a safe and minimally invasive alternative for cytodiagnosis in the mediastinum.

The clinical application and cost analysis of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of mass lesions in sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a prevalent disease of unknown cause characterized by granulomatous inflammation that often creates deep and/or superficial mass lesions. Tissue samples are considered the "gold standard" in diagnosis; however, it is a medically treated disease. We analyzed the utility and relative cost-effectiveness of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the clinical investigation of patients with both suspected and unsuspected sarcoidosis.

METHODS

All FNAB cases with sarcoidosis either as the cytologic diagnosis or mentioned as part of the differential diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed for clinical history, follow-up, cytologic features, and surgical pathology findings. Comparative analysis of cost of FNAB and excisional biopsy were also made.

RESULTS

Thirty-two FNABs in 28 patients included 17 women and 11 men. Anatomic sites included lymph node (n = 17), lung (n = 5), salivary gland (n = 8), and liver (n = 2). Sarcoidosis had already been diagnosed or was a clinical consideration prior to FNAB in 14 cases. Chest radiograph showed abnormal findings in 19 cases. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was measured in seven patients and was elevated in four. All aspirates showed granulomatous inflammation; in 22 patients, special stains or cultures for microorganisms were negative. Simultaneous or subsequent excisional biopsies confirmed the FNAB findings in 17 patients. Institutional ratios of excisional biopsy to FNAB in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis ranged from 4 to 19:1. The cost of FNAB was only 12.5 to 50% that of tissue biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

FNAB appears to be underutilized in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. When used in conjunction with radiologic and laboratory data, FNAB may be a reliable and cost-effective method of diagnosis, especially in patients with an established diagnosis of sarcoidosis.