Validity and reliability of transbronchial needle aspiration for diagnosing mediastinal adenopathies

Observational cross-sectional study of 5279 bronchoscopy results for the practical effectiveness of various biopsy techniques in the diagnosis of lung diseases with particular emphasis on lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Bronchoscopy is the main method in the diagnosis of various lung diseases. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the most modern bronchoscopic technique useful in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer (LC).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the yield of bronchoscopy in patients with suspected various respiratory diseases including LC. In particular, we examined the efficiency of different biopsy techniques in the diagnosis of LC in correlation with its localisation and pathomorphological type.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The results of pathomorphological examinations from 5279 bronchoscopies performed in 2016-2018 were analysed. The material was collected with EBUS-TBNA, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and endobronchial forceps biopsy. Clinical and demographic factors were analysed using the Fisher χ² test.

RESULTS

5279 patients were diagnosed due to various respiratory symptoms. LC was confirmed in 36.42% of patients. 40.81% of patients had no definitive pathomorphological diagnosis. Among patients with LC, the most frequent diagnosis was non-small cell LC: squamous cell lung cancer (SCC)-32.07% and adenocarcinoma (AC)-30.61%, then small cell LC-25.83% and not otherwise specified non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC-NOS)-11.49%. Diagnosis of SCC was obtained significantly more often (χ²=43.143, p<0.000001) by forceps biopsy (41.09%) than by EBUS-TBNA/EUS-FNA (26.62%). On the contrary, diagnosis of AC or NSCLC-NOS was significantly more often (χ²=20.394, p<0.000007, and χ²=3.902, p<0.05, respectively) observed in EBUS-TBNA/EUS-FNA (34.31% and 12.6%) than in endobronchial biopsies (24.52% and 9.64%).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of various lung diseases is vital but also has many limitations. Effectiveness of EBUS-TBNA and endobronchial forceps biopsy in the diagnosis of lung cancer is strongly affected by tumour localisation and type of cancer.

The impact of pathologic staging of the hilar/mediastinal nodes on outcomes in patients with early-stage NSCLC receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy

Background

The importance of invasive mediastinal nodal staging in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the PET/CT era is dependent on tumor factors that increase risk of nodal metastasis. At our institution, patients undergo biopsy via either CT-guidance (without nodal staging) or navigational bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration for nodal staging. This study aims to compare outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) stratified by receipt of invasive mediastinal nodal staging.

Methods

In this retrospective study, records of all consecutive patients undergoing SBRT for early-stage NSCLC between 2010 and 2017 were analyzed. The association between time-to event outcomes (recurrence and survival) were evaluated with covariates of interest including tumor size, location, histology, smoking history, prior lung cancer history, radiation dose and receipt of nodal staging. Both univariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine these comparisons.

Results

Overall, 158 patients were treated with SBRT. One hundred forty-nine out of one hundred fifty-eight patients (94%) underwent PET/CT staging, and all patients underwent tumor-directed biopsy. Seventy-nine patients underwent navigational bronchoscopy with nodal staging and 79 patients underwent CT-guided biopsy without nodal staging. Receipt of nodal staging was not associated with tumor size (P=0.35), yet was associated with central tumor location (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant association between receipt of nodal staging and time-to-event recurrence or survival outcomes; for example 3-year overall survival (OS) was 65% vs. 67% (P=0.65) and 3-year freedom from nodal failure was 84% vs. 69% (P=0.1) for those with and without nodal staging, respectively.

Conclusions

Similar recurrence and survival outcomes were observed after SBRT regardless of receipt of invasive mediastinal nodal staging. Further prospective evaluation can help identify which patients might derive greatest benefit from invasive staging of the mediastinum in the PET/CT era.

Mediastinal lymph node staging for lung cancer

Mediastinal lymph node staging is crucial in deciding the treatment strategy for lung carcinoma. The diagnosis rate of computed tomography is not high; however, it is a standard examination. Although the contrast computed tomography is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, images from the positron emission tomography are excellent, and these two technologies are independent and complementary. Positron emission tomography has a disadvantage of false positives and false negatives, but it should also be used in cases where lymph node diameters are 1 cm or more. However, image-based diagnostic methods are not an alternative to histological examination. The results of a transbronchial needle biopsy are extremely dependent on the inspection method, the diagnostic ability of the physician, and the staging of the case. The transesophageal ultrasound endoscope is useful for reaching parts inaccessible by a mediastinoscope. Although its employment requires technical training, it is becoming popular as a minimally invasive method of obtaining cell and the tissue samples. A thoracoscopic biopsy is considered as a last resort for mediastinal lymph node diagnosis. Carefully-chosen invasive procedures are necessary to diagnose swollen lymph nodes. Although mediastinoscopy is still considered as the gold standard, most procedures will be replaced by a comparatively minimally invasive method in the future.

EBUS may arise as an initial time saving procedure in patients who are suspected to have small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) commonly presents as hilar/mediastinal masses. In some occasions, conventional flexible bronchoscopy fails and a substantial amount of time is lost until establishing the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the superiority of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) compared to conventional methods in establishing the diagnosis as an initial modality as well as to point out the saved time until the diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the patients who were diagnosed as SCLC by EBUS-TBNA between April 2010 and January 2016. The demographics of the patients, smoking history were all recorded. We also compared the time between the first computed tomography (1stCT) and first diagnostic procedure (1stDP), 1stDP and final diagnosis (FDx), 1stCT and FDx, and 1stDP and EBUS procedure were also compared.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-three patients were included in the study. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA was 98.5%. The mean time between the 1stCT and 1stDP; 1stDP and FDx; 1stCT and FDx; 1stDP and EBUS procedure were 7.0 ± 9.0; 11.8 ± 16.1; 18.8 ± 17.9; and 10.8 ± 16.0 days, respectively. The time between 1stCT to 1stDP was not significantly different in patients with or without previous diagnostic procedures. However, the time between 1stDP to FDx and 1stCT to FDx were significantly higher in the patients with previous procedures (P < .001). The difference in time between 1stDP to FDx and 1stCT to FDx was also similar in patients with only hilar and/or mediastinal lesions (P = .001, P = .006, respectively).

CONCLUSION

EBUS-TBNA may be an initial diagnostic procedure in SCLC. Patients with only hilar/mediastinal masses without any endobronchial lesion could be directed to centers with the capability for performing EBUS-TBNA to have a rapid diagnosis without any time loss.

Comparison of 19-gauge eXcelon and WANG MW-319 transbronchial aspiration needles

Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) using 19‐gauge needles can obtain larger histological specimens for hilar‐mediastinal diagnosis. A new 19‐gauge eXcelon needle was introduced in Taiwan in July 2012. We prospectively enrolled patients with hilar‐mediastinal lesions and pathology results of suspected benign origin or lymphoproliferative processes, to perform TBNA using a 19‐gauge eXcelon needle, between July 2012 and December 2012. The results were compared with historical control of TBNA using a WANG MW‐319 needle between January 2011 and June 2012. The procedure was performed by the same pulmonologist, and rapid on‐site cytologic evaluation was used. The 19‐gauge eXcelon needle was used in nine patients with 15 lymph nodes aspirated, with a mean diameter of 23.3 ± 10.7 mm. The mean number of needle passes was 2.7 ± 1.4, with a diagnostic accuracy of 77.8%. The MW‐319 needle was used in 12 patients with 18 lymph nodes aspirated, with a mean diameter of 21.3 ± 5.7 mm. The mean number of needle passes was 2.2 ± 0.4, with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.0%. Neither technical nor major clinical complications were noted in either group. We concluded that the 19‐gauge eXcelon needle was as safe and effective as the MW‐319 needle. A more adequate specimen could be obtained and fewer needle passes were required with the MW‐319 needle, although the difference did not reach significance.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Massive lymphadenopathy and direct mediastinal invasion are well-recognized phenomena in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The aim of this study was to assess the utility of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of SCLC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 780 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA at our institution from March 2004 to June 2012. Of these, 101 had a final diagnosis of SCLC. Excluding 3 patients with known SCLC who underwent EBUS-TBNA for staging purposes and including 2 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA twice for the diagnosis of recurrence after achieving complete response by chemoradiation therapy during the study period, a total of 100 EBUS-TBNA procedures in 98 patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

Other diagnostic tests prior to the initial EBUS-TBNA had failed to yield a diagnosis in 41 patients. The overall diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA for SCLC was 97% (97 of 100). Rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) was performed at the operator's discretion in 77 procedures. ROSE did not have any impact on diagnostic yield (99% with ROSE vs. 90% without ROSE, p=0.1), but the use of ROSE was associated with fewer lesions (mean 1.1 with ROSE vs. 1.6 without ROSE, p<0.01) or aspirates (mean 2.3 with ROSE vs. 4.0 without ROSE, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

EBUS-TBNA provided a high diagnostic yield in SCLC with or without ROSE. EBUS-TBNA can be recommended for patients suspected to have SCLC, even if other diagnostic tests have failed.

Methods for staging non-small cell lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

BACKGROUND

Correctly staging lung cancer is important because the treatment options and prognosis differ significantly by stage. Several noninvasive imaging studies and invasive tests are available. Understanding the accuracy, advantages, and disadvantages of the available methods for staging non-small cell lung cancer is critical to decision-making.

METHODS

Test accuracies for the available staging studies were updated from the second iteration of the American College of Chest Physicians Lung Cancer Guidelines. Systematic searches of the MEDLINE database were performed up to June 2012 with the inclusion of selected meta-analyses, practice guidelines, and reviews. Study designs and results are summarized in evidence tables.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of CT scanning for identifying mediastinal lymph node metastasis were approximately 55% and 81%, respectively, confirming that CT scanning has limited ability either to rule in or exclude mediastinal metastasis. For PET scanning, estimates of sensitivity and specificity for identifying mediastinal metastasis were approximately 77% and 86%, respectively. These findings demonstrate that PET scanning is more accurate than CT scanning, but tissue biopsy is still required to confirm PET scan findings. The needle techniques endobronchial ultrasound-needle aspiration, endoscopic ultrasound-needle aspiration, and combined endobronchial ultrasound/endoscopic ultrasound-needle aspiration have sensitivities of approximately 89%, 89%, and 91%, respectively. In direct comparison with surgical staging, needle techniques have emerged as the best first diagnostic tools to obtain tissue. Based on randomized controlled trials, PET or PET-CT scanning is recommended for staging and to detect unsuspected metastatic disease and avoid noncurative resections.

CONCLUSIONS

Since the last iteration of the staging guidelines, PET scanning has assumed a more prominent role both in its use prior to surgery and when evaluating for metastatic disease. Minimally invasive needle techniques to stage the mediastinum have become increasingly accepted and are the tests of first choice to confirm mediastinal disease in accessible lymph node stations. If negative, these needle techniques should be followed by surgical biopsy. All abnormal scans should be confirmed by tissue biopsy (by whatever method is available) to ensure accurate staging. Evidence suggests that more complete staging improves patient outcomes.

Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology: A Survey of Risk of Bias and Comparability

Context.—The quality of diagnostic accuracy studies is determined by 2 key factors: risk of bias and comparability. Bias can distort accuracy estimates and poor reporting impairs comparability. While diagnostic accuracy studies for fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are frequently published, the methodologic issues associated with this body of literature have never been reviewed.

Objective.—To assess the quality of design and reporting of diagnostic test accuracy studies in FNAC.

Data Sources.—Diagnostic accuracy studies were identified by a Medline (US National Library of Medicine) search. Sixty-four FNAC diagnostic test accuracy studies were randomly selected for structured review with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) survey. Studies were divided between 2 time periods: 2000-2001 and 2009-2011.

Conclusions.—Diagnostic test accuracy studies of FNAC suffer from numerous deficiencies in study design, which negatively affect the reliability of accuracy estimates.

Significance of the presence of lymphocytes in the cytological analysis of transbronchial needle aspiration

AIM

To evaluate the clinical relevance of the presence of lymphocytes in transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) samples from pathological mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with suspected lung cancer.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study evaluating the negative predictive value (NPV) of TBNA samples containing lymphocytes but not malignant cells.

RESULTS

A total of 266 TBNA were performed in 252 patients with pathological lymph nodes. One hundred and fifteen TBNA samples had evidence of malignant cells (43%), and 94 (35%) samples were considered as inadequate (absence of adequate cytological material or exclusive presence of bronchial epithelial cells). Out of the 57 TBNA samples remaining (21%), 15 could not be confirmed; in 32, TBNA samples were confirmed with alternative diagnostic techniques and in 10, they were confirmed after clinical and radiological follow-up. The NPV of the 32 samples that were confirmed with alternative diagnostic techniques was 84% decreasing down to 76% when the 10 TBNA samples confirmed after clinical and radiological follow-up were included.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of lymphocytes in the TBNA sample does not exclude the neoplasic invasion of the specific lymph node analyzed.

Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) for Cases with Intra-Thoracic Lymphadenopathies

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of the lymph nodes in cases with lung cancer for diagnosis or staging has been considered since many years ago. Various methods have been developed for obtaining a sample from lymph nodes. This study was conducted in a research institute with high patient turnover and aimed at evaluating the diagnostic yield of TBNA and effective factors on diagnosis and related complications in patients with pulmonary lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our understudy population included all patients suffering from undiagnosed intrathoracic lymphadenopathies with no accompanying pulmonary lesions on chest CT scan who had been hospitalized in Masih Daneshvari Hospital or referred to its bronchoscopy unit. After determining the anatomic location of lymphadenopathy (LAP), patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and TBNA using 19-gauge eXcelon aspiration needle. Four samples were taken from each patient from the same LAP location. In this study, 39 patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

The most common anatomic location of lymph node involvement among our understudy patients was the paratracheal area which was involved in 14 (45.2%) patients followed by subcarinal area in 12 cases (38.7%) and hilar involvement also in 12 cases (38.7%). Five patients (15.6%) had lymphadenopathies in other anatomical locations. Evaluation of the aspirates obtained by TBNA showed that the sample was adequate and diagnostic in 21 patients (55.26%), adequate but non-diagnostic in 9 patients (23.68%) and inadequate in 8 cases (21.06%). Definite diagnosis was made in 22 patients among which the most common diagnosis was atypical and malignant lesions in 11 cases (50%) followed by sarcoidosis in 8 (36.36%), tuberculosis (TB) in 2 (9.09%) and other diagnoses in 1 (4.55%) case.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study results, TBNA was diagnostic in more than half the cases. Various studies have reported a wide range of results in this respect but all of them including ours emphasize on the acceptable diagnostic yield of this technique.