The utility of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in mediastinal or hilar lymph node evaluation in extrathoracic malignancy: Benign or malignant?

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of EBUS-TBNA for Intrathoracic Metastasis in Previously Treated Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The present study assessed the diagnostic and prognostic significance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for suspected intrathoracic metastasis after HNC treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 75 patients with a prior history of head and neck cancer treatment who underwent EBUS-TBNA for suspected intrathoracic metastases between March 2012 and December 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 126 targeted lesions, including 107 mediastinal/hilar lymph nodes and 19 intrapulmonary/mediastinal masses, were sampled. The metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC) cases detected by EBUS-TBNA consisted of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 24), oropharyngeal carcinoma (n = 3), hypopharynx carcinoma (n = 6), laryngeal carcinoma (n = 6), and oral cavity carcinoma (n = 6). Cases with negative EBUS-TBNA results consisted of tuberculosis (n = 9), sarcoidosis (n = 3), anthracosis (n = 9), and reactive lymphadenitis (n = 9). Six false-negative cases were found among the 75 patients with suspected intrathoracic metastases. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of the EBUS-TBNA procedure for metastatic HNC were 88.2, 100.0, 100.0, 80, and 92.0%, respectively. The diagnosis of HNC intrathoracic metastasis by EBUS-TBNA correlated with an adverse prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) (P = .008). The log-rank univariate analysis and Cox regression multivariate analysis results indicated that the detection of metastatic HNC through EBUS-TBNA was a significant independent prognostic factor for patients with HNC who had received prior treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure for assessing suspected intrathoracic metastasis in HNC patients after treatment. The intrathoracic metastasis detected by EBUS-TBNA has crucial prognostic significance in previously treated HNC patients.

EBUS-TBNA in Extrathoracic Malignancies: Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications

PURPOSE

In patients with extrathoracic malignancies (EM) the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for the assessment of abnormal mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and prognostic significance of EBUS-TBNA in these patients.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients with EM and abnormal MLN detected by Computed Tomography (CT) and/or Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients with EM and abnormal MLN were included (93 males, 58%). The most common EM was melanoma (19%) and gastrointestinal cancer (17%). Assessed lymph nodes were mediastinal in 70% of cases and hilar in 30%. The most frequently sampled lymph nodes were subcarinal (45%) and lower right paratracheal (21%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of malignancy were 88%, 100%, 100% and 87%, respectively. These values were similar regardless the type of EM except for head and neck tumors where the NPV was particularly low (67%). The diagnosis of neoplastic involvement by EBUS-TBNA implied a worse prognosis in terms of overall survival (p < 0.02) and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with EM and abnormal MLN, EBUS-TBNA has a high diagnostic yield. However, the NPV decrease in patients with head and neck tumors. Neoplastic MLN detected by EBUS-TBNA has prognostic implications in these patients.

Traveling with ROSE in EBUS-TBNA - Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Aims and Objectives

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a precise modality for tissue sampling of mediastinal and hilar lesions adjacent to the proximal airway. This study aims to determine the diagnostic efficacy, sensitivity, and specificity of rapid-on site evaluation (ROSE) in EBUS-TBNA.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study that included 100 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA of paratracheal and mediastinal lymph nodes in a tertiary care hospital in South India between March 2018 and March 2020. After the procedure, the diagnostic yield from the nodes sampled was transferred to slides that were stained with rapid hematoxylin and eosin (H and E), and then onsite evaluation was done. The tissue derived was also processed for histopathologic examination in all cases. ROSE was performed to assess sample adequacy and to arrive at a preliminary diagnosis. In patients suspected of tuberculosis, the sample was collected for GeneXpert evaluation as well.

Results

Of the 100 cases studied, 51 were males and 49 were females. The age distribution was between 3 and 78 years. Forty-seven cases were diagnosed as granulomatous lymphadenitis, 13 as metastatic malignancies, 33 as reactive lymphadenitis, 3 as atypical cells, and 1 case was diagnosed as a cystic lesion. The diagnostic yield was not adequate for evaluation in three cases. Diagnostic yield was obtained in the first two passes where the lymph nodes were more than 2 cm in size. More diagnostic passes were required in lymph nodes less than 2 cm and those located between and adjacent to major vessels. The onsite diagnosis was correlated with the final histopathologic diagnosis.

Conclusion

ROSE serves as a useful adjunct to reduce procedure time and enhance sample collection and triaging, and reduces the need for further invasive testing.

Elucidating the Etiologies of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-Avid Mediastinal Lymph Nodes Among Cancer Patients in a Tuberculosis-Endemic Region Using Endobronchial Ultrasound

Background

Non-malignant conditions, including infections (such as tuberculosis [TB]), can mimic malignancy with regards to their uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) tracer utilized for positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan, as part of the diagnostic and staging workup of cancer patients. This poses a diagnostic challenge, for which tissue sampling is decisive. In this study, we aimed to determine the underlying etiologies of ¹⁸F-FDG-avid mediastinal lymph nodes among cancer patients in a TB-endemic demographic using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and the respective sensitivity and specificity of PET-CT and EBUS in diagnosing malignancy.

Methodology

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data of all cancer patients with ¹⁸F-FDG-avid mediastinal lymphadenopathy on diagnostic PET imaging, who later underwent EBUS-TBNA between July 2013 and December 2018 at our center. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relative risk of lymph node characteristics with malignant TBNA cytology, based on which a risk stratification model was formulated.

Results

A total of 178 patients were included in this study, comprising predominantly males (60.7%). The primary malignancy was lung cancer in 33 (18.5%) patients, while 145 (81.5%) had non-lung cancer. A total of 214 ¹⁸F-FDG lymph nodes were sampled, out of which TBNA revealed malignant cytology in only 44 (20.6%). The final diagnosis was malignancy, TB, and sarcoidosis in 42 (23.6%), 16 (9%), and 12 (6.7%) patients, respectively. Among the remaining, 98 (55%) patients were determined to have only reactive lymphadenopathy, of which 24 (24.5%) had nodal anthracosis, while TBNA was inadequate for the diagnosis in 10 (5.6%) patients. An increased risk of malignancy was associated with the size of lymph node [odds ratio (OR): 1.58 (confidence interval (CI): 1.19, 2.11; p = 0.001], the standard uptake value (SUV) of the lymph node on PET-CT [OR: 1.30 (CI: 1.15, 1.45); p = 0.001], and with primary lung malignancy [OR: 4.44 (CI: 1.96, 10.06); p = 0.001]. At an SUV cut-off value of 6.0, PET-CT had the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 73%, 70%, 49.3%, and 91.8%, respectively, for diagnosing malignancy, while the same for EBUS was estimated to be 93.3%, 100%, 100%, and 97%, respectively.

Conclusions

In addition to TB, benign etiologies including nodal anthracosis and sarcoidosis predominate as causes of ¹⁸F-FDG-avid mediastinal lymphadenopathy in cancer patients of a TB-endemic demographic. The predictable risk of malignancy on PET imaging increases with nodal size, SUV, and lung primary malignancy; however, EBUS clearly demonstrates a higher sensitivity.

Sarcoid-Like Reaction after Complete Remission of Malignancy: CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT Features for the Differential Diagnosis from Lymph Node Metastasis

Purpose

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

A pragmatic application of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: a single institution experience

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided trans-bronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is minimally invasive technique used for diagnosis and/or staging of benign and malignant pulmonary and non-pulmonary disease. Previous studies have established the utility of EBUS-TBNA in narrowly defined indications and populations. In this pragmatic ‘real world’ study we have analysed the use of EBUS-TBNA for a variety of clinical presentations and its clinical application in conjunction with other invasive investigations.

Methods

All EBUS-TBNA procedures performed at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital in 2012–2014 were reviewed retrospectively, using relevant hospital databases.

Results

A total of 327 patients underwent 337 EBUS-TBNA procedures. EBUS-TBNA procedures were used to diagnose a wide spectrum of benign and malignant conditions. The main application was in the diagnosis and staging of malignant conditions (70.6%), and in the diagnosis of benign conditions such as sarcoidosis 40 (12.2%), and silicoanthracosis 17 (5.2%). EBUS-TBNA was sufficient to diagnose and stage the disease as a single stand-alone invasive procedure in 191 (59.2%) patients. EBUS-TBNA was the final invasive procedure undertaken in 283 (87.6%) patients. Only 13.3% of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who had EBUS-TBNA as a first investigation required multiple procedures compared to 51.1% of all NSCLC patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA. Overall sensitivity, specificity, NPV and diagnostic accuracy for EBUS-TBNA were 89.7, 100, 85.1 and 89.9%, respectively and three minor complications (0.9%) occurred as a result of the procedure.

Conclusions

EBUS-TBNA was undertaken for a wide variety of clinical conditions. Good diagnostic accuracy and safety profiles were demonstrated for the procedure, supporting its application as a first line investigation in the diagnosis and/or staging of a range of malignant and benign conditions. Our study was unique in its documentation of the use of EBUS-TBNA in a real-world setting in conjunction with other invasive modalities. EBUS-TBNA was utilised as a stand alone invasive procedure in more than half of the patients. Importantly, in NSCLC, when EBUS-TBNA was performed as primary diagnostic and staging investigation, less patients underwent subsequent invasive procedures.

Utility of EBUS-TBNA in PET-positive mediastinal lymph nodes in subjects with extra-thoracic malignancy

Background/Aim

Patients with primary extra-thoracic malignancy (ETM) often have hyper-metabolic mediastinal lymph nodes (HM-MLN) in the PET-scan done for initial staging or post treatment follow-up. There is scant data on the etiology of HM-MLN in such patients, which can also be due to non-malignant causes. We used endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided sampling to determine the etiology of HM-MLN in patients with ETM and study the relationship between PET-SUV values and a diagnosis of malignancy in this population.

Materials and methods

65 consecutive patients, from March 2013 to March 2017 with either known ETM for primary staging or post-treatment follow-up, with PET CT showing HM-MLN (SUV > 2.5) were included in the study.

Results

65 patients with ETM had EBUS-TBNA for HM-MLN. 20/65 (30.7%) were malignant, 45/65 (69.23%) were benign MLN. In patients with benign etiology of HM-MLN, 6/45 (13.3%) had necrotising granulomatous, 24/45 (53.3%) had non- necrotising granulomatous MLN and 15/45 (33.3%) had reactive MLN. We found discordance (i.e. primary ETM responded to treatment and a new HM-MLN was detected) in 21/65 (32.3%) patients with PET-CT done for initial ETM staging, and 44/65 (67.7%) with a post-treatment PET-CT. showed. Correlating SUV with diagnoses, the SUV values in EBUS-proven malignant MLN were 8.9 ± 4.1, while they were 10.2 ± 5.57 in benign MLN. There was no statistically significant difference between the SUV of benign and malignant MLNs.

Conclusion

This study shows a significant incidence of EBUS-TBNA proven benign diagnoses 45/65 (69.2%) in ‘SUV-deemed-malignant MLN’ and a poor relationship between high SUV and malignant MLN, in patients with known ETM. The ETM related HM-MLN have a significant chance of being benign, and a tissue diagnosis is imperative as it impacts on the treatment plan and prognosis.

EBUS-TBNA for Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Lesions

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive and safe modality for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, particularly in staging of lung carcinoma patients. In high tuberculosis endemic countries, EBUS-TBNA is useful in obtaining tissue diagnosis of granulomatous inflammation. Role of EBUS-TBNA in workup of extrapulmonary malignancies is not widely described. Herein, a brief overview of importance of EBUS-TBNA in investigation of extrapulmonary lesions/malignancies is presented.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration cytology in patients with known or suspected extra-pulmonary malignancies: A cytopathology-based study

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the primary modality for mediastinal lymph node staging in lung carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate its utility in extra-pulmonary malignancies (EPM).

METHODS

Database search of EBUS-TBNA aspirations (2013-2017) done in patients with known/suspected EPMs and mediastinal lymphadenopathy/masses was performed. All archived cytology/histology material was reviewed and categorised as positive, negative and unsatisfactory.

RESULTS

The selected 139 patients included 100 patients with known EPMs, 11 patients with known lymphoma, and 28 patients with suspected EPM of unknown primary. EBUS-TBNA was adequate in 110 patients (79%), including 21 patients who yielded only reactive lymphoid tissue. Satisfactory blood clot cores were obtained in 34 patients and contributed significantly to diagnosis and ancillary testing. Metastasis was detected in 45 patients with known EPM, predominantly originating from a known primary in the breast in females (56%) and squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck in males (60%). Granulomatous lymphadenopathy was identified in 16 patients with known EPM (16%). Lymphoma relapse and granulomatous lymphadenopathy were identified in three and four patients with known lymphoma, respectively. In patients with suspected EPM of unknown primary site, malignancy was confirmed in 21 patients, predominantly representing metastatic adenocarcinomas (n = 5) and neuroendocrine neoplasms (n = 5). Immunocytochemistry was performed in 16 of these cases and aided in characterisation of primary site/type of tumour in 12 cases.

CONCLUSION

EBUS-TBNA is efficient for screening mediastinal lymph nodes/masses for malignancy in EPMs. Procuring sufficient material for ancillary testing would improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce need for resampling.

Anesthesia for interventional pulmonology procedures: a review of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy

PURPOSE

Interventional pulmonology is a growing subspecialty of pulmonary medicine with flexible and rigid bronchoscopies increasingly used by interventional pulmonologists for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This review discusses different technical aspects of anesthesia for interventional pulmonary procedures with an emphasis placed on pharmacologic combinations, airway management, ventilation techniques, and common complications.

SOURCE

Relevant medical literature was identified by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for publications on different anesthesia topics applicable to interventional pulmonary procedures. Cited literature included case reports, original research articles, review articles, meta-analyses, guidelines, and official society statements.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Interventional pulmonology is a rapidly growing area of medicine. Anesthesiologists need to be familiar with different considerations required for every procedure, particularly as airway access is a shared responsibility with pulmonologists. Depending on the individual case characteristics, a different selection of airway method, ventilation mode, and pharmacologic combination may be required. Most commonly, airways are managed with supraglottic devices or endotracheal tubes. Nevertheless, patients with central airway obstruction or tracheal stenosis may require rigid bronchoscopy and jet ventilation. Although anesthetic approaches may vary depending on factors such as the length, complexity, and acuity of the procedure, the majority of patients are anesthetized using a total intravenous anesthetic technique.

CONCLUSIONS

It is fundamental for the anesthesia provider to be updated on interventional pulmonology procedures in this rapidly growing area of medicine.

Unusual diagnoses made by convex-probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy (EBUS-TBNA) has proven to be an effective and minimally invasive tool to diagnose and stage lung cancer. However, its use for the diagnosis of rare mediastinal and lung pathologies has been rarely described. Hereby we describe a retrospective chart review of our EBUS-TBNA database for unusual diagnosis made between July 2012 and October 2016. Those conditions considered unusual for EBUS-TBNA diagnosis were identified and their medical records reviewed.

Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in the Management of Tubercular Uveitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (EUS-FNAC) in patients of tubercular uveitis.

DESIGN

Interventional case series Methods: Thirty patients suspected of tubercular uveitis that underwent EUS-FNAC were enrolled in the study. The patient details recorded were age, gender, systemic history, ocular complaints and clinical manifestations. The details of the investigations - skin test, X-Ray chest, CECT (contrast enhanced computed tomography) of chest and findings on EUS-FNAC were also recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with suspected tubercular uveitis showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CECT-chest and underwent EUS-FNAC. A total of 27 patients showed tubercular lymphadenitis and three patients showed reactive lymphadenopathy. Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining was positive for acid-fast bacilli in four cases and culture was positive in one case. There were no noted complications of EUS-FNAC.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNAC is a safe and efficacious procedure for confirming the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis and should be routinely employed wherever available.

CT differentiation of enlarged mediastinal lymph node due to anthracosis from metastatic lymphadenopathy: a comparative study proven by endobronchial US-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

PURPOSE

Anthracosis often results in mediastinal nodal enlargement. The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate if it is possible to differentiate endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) proven anthracotic lymph nodes from malignant lymph node enlargement by means of multislice computed tomography (MSCT).

METHODS

We compared the MSCT findings of 89 enlarged lymph nodes due to anthracosis with 54 malignant lymph nodes (non-small cell lung cancer 75.9%, small cell lung cancer 18.5%, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma 5.6%). The lymph nodes were assessed for density (calcification, fat, and necrosis), shape (oval, round), contrast enhancement, and contour (sharp, ill-defined).

RESULTS

Malignant lymph nodes showed significantly greater axis diameters (P < 0.001). Both anthracotic and malignant nodes were most often oval (86.5% of all malignant nodes vs. 81.5% of all anthracotic nodes, P = 0.420) and showed confluence in a remarkable percentage (28.1% vs. 42.6%, P = 0.075). Anthracotic nodes showed calcifications more often (18% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Malignant lymph nodes showed a significantly greater short and long axis diameter (P < 0.001), and they had a higher frequency of ill-defined contours (27.8% vs. 2.2%, P < 0.001) and contrast enhancement (27.8% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). Nodal necrosis, which appeared in one third of the malignant nodes, was not observed in anthracosis (35.2% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Confluence of enlarged lymph nodes was seen in malignant lymph nodes (42.6%), as well as in lymph node enlargement due to anthracosis (28.1%, P = 0.075).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that there are significant differences in MSCT findings of malignant enlarged lymph nodes and benign lymph node enlargement due to anthracosis.

The role of endobronchial ultrasonography for mediastinal lymphadenopathy in cases with extrathoracic malignancy

INTRODUCTION

Many extrathoracic malignancies can metastasize to lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Whether mediastinal lesions are metastasis in these patients changes staging, prognosis, and treatment strategy. In this study, we aimed to find out the contribution of EBUS-TBNA to the diagnosis in cases with extrathoracic malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who had been previously diagnosed as extrapulmonary solid organ malignancy and in whom mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy developed during their follow-up and EBUS-TBNA was applied for diagnostic purposes were retrospectively included in this study.

RESULTS

A total of 91 patients consisting of 35 females (38.5 %) and 56 males (61.5 %) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 60.5 (±11.4). Malignancy was not observed in 54 (59.3 %) patients; primary malignancy metastasis was detected in 33 (36.3 %) patients, and primary lung cancer was detected in 4 (4.4 %) patients with EBUS-TBNA. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA in extrathoracic malignancies was determined as 90.2 %; its specificity was determined as 100 %, its negative predictive value as 92.5 %, its positive predictive value as 100 %, and its diagnostic accuracy as 95.6 %. The highest rate was determined in the left lower paratracheal lymph node when they were examined in terms of malignancy detection rate in lymph node stations.

CONCLUSION

EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive method with quite a low complication rate that does not require general anesthesia. It should be the first step method to be used in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathies seen in extrathoracic malignancies since it has high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. EBUS-TBNA significantly reduces the need for surgical intervention. Further surgical interventions can be planned in patients in whom diagnostic competence is not ensured.

Endoscopic ultrasound in mediastinal tuberculosis

Background:

Tubercular lymphadenitis is the commonest extra pulmonary manifestation in cervical and mediastinal locations. Normal characteristics of lymph nodes (LN) have been described on ultrasonography as well as by Endoscopic Ultrasound. Many ultrasonic features have been described for evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. The inter and intraobserver agreement of the endosonographic features have not been uniformly established.

Methods and Results:

A total of 266 patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration and 134 cases were diagnosed as mediastinal tuberculosis. The endoscopic ultrasound location and features of these lymph nodes are described.

Conclusion:

Our series demonstrates the utility of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration as the investigation of choice for diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculosis and also describes various endoscopic ultrasound features of such nodes.

The utility of ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation) in endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA): Is the picture rosy?

BACKGROUND

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) presents a diagnostic challenge. The technique to sample the lymph nodes has evolved from conventional "blind" transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) to the present day endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided procedure that improves the accuracy of sampling.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of "rapid on-site evaluation" (ROSE) in EBUS-guided TBNA (EBUS-TBNA) for the diagnosis of ML.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 80 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA for computed tomography/positron emission tomography (CT/PET) diagnosed ML over a 4-month period at a single tertiary care center. All 80 of these patients underwent histopathological evaluation (HPE) in addition to cytology. Three out of these 80 (3.7%) patients were excluded in view of inadequate material on EBUS-TBNA. After the sampling of nodes was done, the slides were stained with rapid hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and then on-site evaluation was done. The tissue derived was also processed for HPE in all cases.

RESULTS

ROSE revealed granuloma in 27 patients and malignancy in 14 patients, and the remaining patients showed nonspecific inflammation. Concomitant histopathology revealed granuloma in 34 patients and malignancy in 14 patients. Considering HPE as gold standard, the overall sensitivity and specificity of EBUS-TBNA for diagnosis were 85.4% and 89.6%, respectively. For malignancy alone, the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 98.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This novel approach is safe, has good diagnostic yield, and has an excellent potential in assisting safe and accurate diagnostic interventional bronchoscope.

Ultrasound techniques in the evaluation of the mediastinum, part 2: mediastinal lymph node anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques, clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography

Ultrasound imaging has gained importance in pulmonary medicine over the last decades including conventional transcutaneous ultrasound (TUS), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Mediastinal lymph node (MLN) staging affects the management of patients with both operable and inoperable lung cancer (e.g., surgery vs. combined chemoradiation therapy). Tissue sampling is often indicated for accurate nodal staging. Recent international lung cancer staging guidelines clearly state that endosonography should be the initial tissue sampling test over surgical staging. Mediastinal nodes can be sampled from the airways [endobronchial ultrasound combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)] or the esophagus [endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]. EBUS and EUS have a complementary diagnostic yield and in combination virtually all MLNs can be biopsied. Additionally endosonography has an excellent yield in assessing granulomas in patients suspected of sarcoidosis. The aim of this review in two integrative parts is to discuss the current role and future perspectives of all ultrasound techniques available for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinal staging of lung cancer. A specific emphasis will be on learning mediastinal endosonography. Part 1 deals with an introduction into ultrasound techniques, MLN anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques and part 2 with the clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography.

Evaluation of Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in Sarcoidosis, Sarcoid Reaction, and Malignant Lymph Nodes Using CT and FDG-PET/CT

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) findings of sarcoidosis, sarcoid reaction, and malignant lymph nodes (LNs) to the results of transbronchial LN aspiration and biopsy (TBNA).The TBNA results of mediastinal and hilar LNs of 152 patients in our hospital from July 2008 to March 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Two independent radiologists measured the size and attenuation of LNs on CT and assessed the probability of the 3 categories: sarcoidosis (n = 36), sarcoid reaction (n = 25), or malignant LNs (n = 91). The total volume and attenuation of LNs were measured using Image J (NIH). The median maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of the 3 mediastinal and hilar LNs on PET/CT was obtained.There was no significantly different CT finding between sarcoidosis and sarcoid reaction. Multivariate analysis showed that the age, total volume of LNs, and number of enlarged LNs significantly differed between sarcoid reaction and malignant LNs. Sarcoid reaction tends to be occurred in young patients (P = 0.007), the total volume of LNs was smaller (P = 0.04) than that of malignant LNs, and there were significantly more LNs >1 cm (P = 0.005). The median maxSUV of the 3 highest SUVs of the LNs did not significantly differ between the 3 entities.

Save or sacrifice the internal mammary pedicle during anterior mediastinotomy?

Ligation and dissection of internal mammary vessels is the most under-estimated complication of anterior mediastinotomy. However, patients requiring anterior mediastinotomy may experience long survival that makes the development of ischemic heart disease throughout their life possible. Therefore, the un-judicial sacrifice of the internal mammary pedicle may deprive them from the benefit to have their internal mammary artery used as a graft in order to successfully bypass severe left anterior descending artery stenoses. We recommend the preservation of the internal mammary pedicle during anterior mediastinotomy, which should be a common message among our colleagues from the beginning of their training.

Advanced bronchoscopic techniques in diagnosis and staging of lung cancer

The role of advanced brochoscopic diagnostic techniques in detection and staging of lung cancer has steeply increased in recent years. Bronchoscopic imaging techniques became widely available and easy to use. Technical improvement led to merging in technologies making autofluorescence or narrow band imaging incorporated into one bronchoscope. New tools, such as autofluorescence imagining (AFI), narrow band imaging (NBI) or fuji intelligent chromo endoscopy (FICE), found their place in respiratory endoscopy suites. Development of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) improved minimally invasive mediastinal staging and diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. Linear EBUS proven to be complementary to mediastinoscopy. This technique is now available in almost all high volume centers performing bronchoscopy. Radial EBUS with mini-probes and guiding sheaths provides accurate diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. Combining EBUS guided procedures with rapid on site cytology (ROSE) increases diagnostic yield even more. Electromagnetic navigation technology (EMN) is also widely used for diagnosis of peripheral lesions. Future development will certainly lead to new improvements in technology and creation of new sophisticated tools for research in respiratory endoscopy. Broncho-microscopy, alveoloscopy, optical coherence tomography are some of the new research techniques emerging for rapid technological development.