Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is useful for diagnosing sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies of real-time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) have reported a sensitivity of approximately 90% in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar malignancies. However, few studies have addressed its role in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of EBUS-TBNA in confirming a pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis. METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with suspected sarcoidosis and mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy were investigated prospectively. EBUS-TBNA with an echo-bronchoscope and a dedicated echogenic 22-gauge needle was carried out in patients under conscious sedation, followed by conventional TBNA of the same lesion using a 19-gauge needle. RESULTS: EBUS-TBNA and/or TBNA demonstrated non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 14 of 15 patients (93%). All 14 patients with a pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis were considered to have sarcoidosis based on subsequent clinical assessments. The single patient with a negative EBUS-TBNA and TBNA had a malignant melanoma diagnosed following surgical biopsy. EBUS-TBNA confirmed a diagnosis of sarcoidosis in 13 of the 14 patients (93%) by identifying non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 18 of 23 lymph nodes (78%) sampled. When two needle aspirates of one or two lymph nodes were carried out, the percentage positive pathological diagnosis for sarcoidosis for (i) EBUS-TBNA; (ii) TBNA; and (iii) the combination of EBUS-TBNA and TBNA were 93% (13 of 14 patients), 93% (13 of 14 patients) and 100% (14 of 14 patients), respectively. There were no complications associated with the procedures. CONCLUSION: EBUS-TBNA is less invasive and acceptably sensitive as a method for obtaining pathological confirmation of sarcoidosis.     

经气管镜针吸活检术和经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术在结节病诊断中的价值

目的探讨经气管镜针吸活检术（TBNA）和经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术（EBUS-TBNA）在结节病诊断中的价值。方法选取15例临床表现和胸部CT检查疑似结节病患者,同时行TBNA和纵隔镜检查。另选取20例疑似结节病的患者行EBUS-TBNA检查。结果 15例同时行TBNA和纵隔镜检查患者中诊断为结节病的12例,TBNA诊断阳性率83.33%（10/12）;20例行EBUS-TBNA患者中诊断为结节病的18例,EBUS-TBNA诊断阳性率为88.89%（16/18）。结论 EBUS-TBNA和TBNA创伤性小、安全性好,在结节病的诊断中有较高的应用价值。     

纤维支气管镜检查对结节病诊断的临床价值

目的 评价经纤维支气管镜下不同取材对结节病诊断的价值.方法 回顾性分析50例经纤维支气管镜检查,采用肺内活检(包括经支气管黏膜活检和经纤维支气管镜肺活检)、经气管镜针吸活检(TBNA)和经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)等方法获取标本,经病理学或细胞学检查确诊为结节病的患者,比较不同取材及联合取材检测结节...     

Endobronchial ultrasound for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis can be established by a variety of techniques. Transbronchial lung biopsy is often the preferred approach, but it is frequently nondiagnostic and carries a risk of pneumothorax and bleeding. Mediastinoscopy is often suggested as the next diagnostic step but entails significant cost and associated morbidity. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) with transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is emerging as a safe, minimally invasive tool for the primary diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of EBUS-TBNA for pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients who had been referred for EBUS-TBNA for suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis were included in the study. On-site cytology was used to assess the adequacy of the samples. The presence of noncaseating granulomas without necrosis in the appropriate clinical setting was deemed to be adequate for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Patients with a negative EBUS-TBNA underwent further histologic biopsy or clinical follow-up to determine the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Eighty-two lymph nodes with a median size of 16 mm (range, 4 to 40 mm) were punctured. EBUS-TBNA demonstrated noncaseating granulomas without necrosis in 41 of 48 patients (85%) with a final diagnosis of sarcoidosis. EBUS-TBNA, therefore, has a sensitivity of 85% for the primary diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS-TBNA is a safe, minimally invasive tool for the primary diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis that has a high diagnostic yield. EBUS-TBNA should be considered an appropriate alternative diagnostic technique for patients with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis.     

EBUS-TBNA标本检测荧光定量TB-PCR对纵隔淋巴结核的诊断价值

目的研究荧光定量TB-PCR法检测超声支气管镜引导下经支气管透壁针吸活检(EBUS-TBNA)标本的临床应用价值。 方法对2017年01月至2018年06月在我院呼吸内镜中心接受EBUS-TBNA检测的65例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,比较病理检查和病理检查联合荧光定量TB-PCR检测法对临床诊断纵膈淋巴结结核的敏感性、特异性和准确性。 结果病理检查对纵膈淋巴结核的敏感性、特异性、准确性分别是75%、83.3%、78.9%,而荧光定量TB-PCR法联合病理学检查对纵膈淋巴结核诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确率分别为90.5%、100%、94.4%。 结论针对EBUS-TBNA标本,采用病理学检查联合荧光定量TB-PCR检测法能够明显提高诊断淋巴结结核的敏感性、特异性、准确性,有利于结节病和纵隔结核、非结核分枝杆菌病的鉴别,具有很高的临床应用价值。     

Relationship between the ratios of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lymph nodes in patients with sarcoidosis

BackgroundEvaluating the ratio of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is important for understanding the clinical and pathological conditions of patients with sarcoidosis. However, few studies have thus far demonstrated the usefulness of evaluating the relationship between the ratios of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF. This study aimed to investigate and identify the relationships between CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratio in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF in patients with sarcoidosis.MethodsThirty-three consecutive patients with sarcoidosis with enlarged mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy were enrolled in the study, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were simultaneously performed. The CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratios in the mediastinal lymph nodes and BALF were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe interobserver variability in the CD4/CD8 ratio in the mediastinal lymph nodes as determined by immunostaining was low, and the pathological and cytological profiles of T-lymphocytes in the mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes and BALF were correlated in patients with sarcoidosis. Additionally, the CD4/CD8 T-lymphocyte ratios in BALF were significantly higher than those in the mediastinal lymph nodes. Importantly, non-caseating granulomas were detected at a high rate by using EBUS-TBNA.ConclusionsPerforming EBUS-TBNA in patients with sarcoidosis allows correct diagnosis as well as the estimation of the ratio of CD4/CD8 T-lymphocytes in BALF.     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of lymph nodes in the radiologically normal mediastinum.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can sample enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To date, EBUS-TBNA has only been used to sample nodes visible on computed tomography (CT). The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of EBUS-TBNA in sampling nodes 1 cm) in the mediastinum underwent EBUS-TBNA. Identifiable lymph nodes at locations 2r, 2l, 4r, 4l, 7, 10r, 10l, 11r and 11l were aspirated. All patients underwent subsequent surgical staging. Diagnoses based on aspiration results were compared with those based on surgical results. In 100 patients (mean age 58.9 yrs; 68 males), 119 lymph nodes ranging 5-10 mm in size were detected and sampled. Malignancy was detected in 19 patients but missed in two; all diagnoses were confirmed by surgical findings. The mean diameter of the punctured lymph nodes was 8.1 mm. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA for detecting malignancy was 92.3%, specificity was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 96.3%. No complications occurred. In conclusion, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration can accurately sample even small mediastinal nodes, therefore avoiding unnecessary surgical exploration in one out of six patients who have no computed tomography evidence of mediastinal disease. Potentially operable patients with no signs of mediastinal involvement on computed tomography may benefit from pre-surgical endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration and staging.     

超声支气管镜引导下的经支气管针吸活检术的临床应用分析

目的研究超声支气管镜引导下的经支气管针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)在肺恶性肿瘤及纵隔肿物中的诊断价值及安全性。方法分析我科2013年10月至2015年10月经胸部CT发现肺门、纵隔淋巴结肿大或气管支气管旁肿物的94例患者行EBUS-TBNA检查结果。结果 94例患者中确诊肺恶性肿瘤80例;共穿刺150组淋巴结,每组平均穿刺2.4针,对肺恶性肿瘤的诊断敏感性为93.02%,特异性为100%,准确性为93.62%;4例患者临床诊断结节病;4例患者临床诊断淋巴结炎。结论 EBUS-TBNA在纵隔、肺门淋巴结和气管支气管旁肿物的诊断和肺恶性肿瘤的分期上有较高的敏感性、特异性、准确性和安全性,是经济有效的诊断方法。     

多种技术联合应用对肺癌诊断的临床价值

目的评价多种技术联合应用对肺癌诊断的临床价值。方法 884例痰脱落细胞学、细菌学、常规支气管镜等检查均无阳性发现的疑似肺癌的患者行经支气管镜针吸活检术（TBNA）和活检刷检、经支气管镜超声引导针吸活检术（EBUS-TB-NA）、纵隔镜、超声或CT引导经皮肺穿刺活检术、PET-CT和内科电子胸腔镜胸膜活检术。结果 215例患者TBNA、刷检、活检的阳性率分别为81.58%、29.47%和16.84%。15例EBUS-TBNA的阳性率为91.67%,20例超声或CT引导经皮肺穿刺活检术阳性率为65%,10例PET-CT阳性率为80%,628例患者胸腔镜检查的总体阳性率为94.6%。结论多种技术联合应用可明显提高肺癌的早期诊断率。     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

The objective of the current study was to assess the yield of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in a large patient group. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is nondiagnostic in 30% of patients with suspected sarcoidosis and has a risk of pneumothorax and haemoptysis. In order to obtain a diagnosis, mediastinoscopy is often performed as the next diagnostic procedure. EUS-FNA provides a nonsurgical alternative for the demonstration of noncaseating granulomas by aspirating mediastinal lymph nodes from the oesophagus. In total, 51 patients with suspected sarcoidosis stage I and II underwent EUS-FNA. Thirty-six patients (71%) previously underwent a nondiagnostic bronchoscopy. All patients were clinically followed (median 18 months) and surgical-pathological verification occurred in those patients with EUS aspirates that contained unrepresentative material. EUS-FNA demonstrated noncaseating granulomas without necrosis in 41 of 50 patients (82%) with the final diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Specific ultrasound features of clustered, well-demarcated iso-echoic lymph nodes were observed in 64% of patients with sarcoidosis. No complications occurred. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration has a high yield in diagnosing sarcoidosis and qualifies as the next diagnostic step after a nondiagnostic bronchoscopy. The current authors expect that endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration will reduce the number of mediastinoscopies for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis dramatically.     

Transbronchial and transoesophageal (ultrasound-guided) needle aspirations for the analysis of mediastinal lesions.

A tissue diagnosis of mediastinal nodes is frequently needed for accurate lung cancer staging as well as the assessment of mediastinal masses. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a safe procedure that is performed during routine bronchoscopy. Provided mediastinal metastases are confirmed, TBNA has a high impact on patient management. Unfortunately, TBNA remains underused in current daily practice, mainly due to the lack of real-time needle visualisation. The introduction of echo-endoscopes has overcome this problem. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided TBNA (EBUS-TBNA) allows real-time controlled tissue sampling of paratracheal, subcarinal and hilar lymph nodes. Mediastinal lymph nodes located adjacent to the oesophagus can be assessed by transoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Owing to the complementary reach of EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA in assessing different regions of the mediastinum, recent studies suggest that complete and accurate mediastinal staging can be achieved by the combination of both procedures. It is expected that implementation of minimally invasive endoscopic methods of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration and transoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration will reduce the need for surgical staging of lung cancer significantly.     

Combination of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration with standard bronchoscopic techniques for the diagnosis of stage I and stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis

Background and objective: Standard bronchoscopic techniques (transbronchial lung biopsy and endobronchial biopsy) provide a diagnosis in 70% of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Previous data suggest that endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) has a high sensitivity in patients with sarcoidosis. The feasibility and utility of combining EBUS‐TBNA with standard bronchoscopic techniques is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of combined EBUS‐TBNA and standard bronchoscopic techniques in patients with suspected sarcoidosis and enlarged mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Methods: Forty consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary sarcoidosis and enlarged mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes (radiographical stage I and stage II) underwent EBUS‐TBNA followed by transbronchial biopsies and endobronchial biopsies under conscious sedation. Results: Thirty‐nine out of 40 patients successfully underwent combined EBUS‐TBNA and standard bronchoscopy. Twenty‐seven patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis, eight had tuberculosis, two had reactive lymphadenopathy, two had lymphoma and one had metastatic adenocarcinoma. In patients with sarcoidosis, the sensitivity of EBUS‐TBNA for detection of non‐caseating granulomas was 85%, compared with a sensitivity of 35% for standard bronchoscopic techniques (P < 0.001). The diagnostic yield of combined EBUS‐TBNA and bronchoscopy was 93% (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Combination of EBUS‐TBNA with standard bronchoscopic techniques is safe and feasible, and optimizes the diagnostic yield in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and enlarged intrathoracic lymphadenopathy.     

纵隔囊性病变行EBUS-TBNA并发症3例报道及文献复习

目的 探讨超声引导下经支气管针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)在纵隔囊性病变诊治中的风险及获益.方法 回顾分析3例纵隔囊性病变患者行EBUS-TBNA穿刺后出现并发症的临床资料并进行相关文献复习,以检索词complications AND (endobronchial ultrasound OR endoscopic ultrasound OR endosonography OR transbronchial ultrasound OR fine-needle OR fine-needle aspiration),检索PubMed、Medline、EBSCO等数据库,检索时间为2003年1月至2016年7月.结果 一例21岁男性患者,在行超声引导下经支气管针吸活检支气管囊肿后出现囊肿感染.一例48岁男性患者,行超声引导下经支气管针吸活检纵隔囊肿后出现囊肿复发.一例49岁女性患者行EBUS-TBNA后,局部出现黄白色液体外渗,后诊断为肺结核.对文献进行检索,经筛选剔除,共纳入49篇文献.其中与纵隔囊性病变穿刺并发症相关文献6篇,共有10例纵隔囊性病变穿刺后出现并发症.结论 EBUS-TBNA是一项安全的检查方法,目前用于多种疾病的诊断及治疗,并发症发生率相对较低,但是在穿刺坏死区域、囊性病变及结核性淋巴结肿大等区域时,需要警惕相关严重的感染性并发症的发生.若无创的检查方法能够协助诊断,应尽量避免对上述区域进行穿刺活检.如必须行EBUS-TBNA检查,建议预防性应用抗生素,并减少穿刺次数,缩短手术时间等,以减少并发症的发生.     

La ultrasonografía endobronquial lineal como instrumento de diagnóstico inicial en el paciente con ocupación mediastínica

Background and Objective

Linear endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has proven useful for sampling mediastinal masses and nodes and for staging lung cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of this diagnostic tool in patients with indications of mediastinal disease that could not be diagnosed by noninvasive methods or white light bronchoscopy.

Patients and Methods

All patients undergoing linear EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal masses and/or adenopathy at our endoscopy unit were included in the study. Diagnoses obtained by linear EBUS-TBNA or any surgical technique performed after a nondiagnostic EBUS-TBNA were considered as final.

Results

In the study population of 128 patients with a mean (SD) age of 62.0 (11.2) years, a total of 294 TBNAs were performed on 12 masses and 282 nodes. Satisfactory samples were obtained in 11 cases (91.7%) from masses and in 233 cases (82.6%) from nodes. Linear EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic, obviating the need for mediastinoscopy in 115 patients (diagnostic sensitivity, 89.8%). The technique confirmed the diagnosis in 85 of the 94 patients with cancer (90.4%), in 8 of the 10 patients with tuberculosis (80.0%), and in the 5 patients with sarcoidosis.

Conclusions

Linear EBUS-TBNA is a useful diagnostic tool in patients with mediastinal disease for whom a pathologic diagnosis is not achieved by noninvasive methods or white light bronchoscopy.     

超声支气管镜下穿刺活检对成人纵隔淋巴结结核的早期诊断价值（附87例临床报告）

目的 探讨超声支气管镜下穿刺活检（EBUS-TBNA）对于纵隔淋巴结结核的早期诊断价值。方法 选取上海市肺科医院2010年1月至2012年12月期间,影像学及临床诊断为纵隔淋巴结结核但气管镜检查无异常的患者共87例;其中男51例,女36例,年龄21～70岁,平均（48.5±11.5）岁。所有患者行EBUS-TBNA,标本送检病理、抗酸杆菌涂片、培养和体外聚合酶链反应检测,根据检测结果进行诊断性治疗并随访3个月,治疗无效者进行纵隔镜检查,最终统计EBUS-TBNA在纵隔淋巴结结核诊断中的诊断率。应用统计软件SPSS 13.0进行数据分析和计算。 结果 66例患者通过EBUS-TBNA直接确诊结核病,1例确诊为非结核分枝杆菌（NTM）感染（菌型鉴定为鸟-胞内分枝杆菌,MAC）;5例确诊肺癌,2例确诊结节病,13例未得到任何阳性证据;13例中6例通过诊断性抗结核治疗确诊结核病,7例行纵隔镜检查,其中3例确诊淋巴瘤,3例肺癌,1例结核病。因此87例患者中最终确诊结核病73例,其中通过EBUS-TBNA确诊66例（90.41%,66/73）。经过EBUS-TBNA确诊结核病的66例中21例（31.82%,21/66）为结核分枝杆菌涂片和（或）培养阳性（3例结核分枝杆菌药敏试验提示耐药）;40例（60.61%,40/66）结核分枝杆菌聚合酶链反应检测阳性,38例（57.58%,38/66）病理检测结果为干酪样坏死或者结核性肉芽肿。 结论 EBUS-TBNA在纵隔淋巴结结核特别是耐药纵隔淋巴结结核的早期诊断上可能具有一定的价值。     

超声支气管镜引导下经支气管针吸活检术136例临床应用分析

目的 评价超声支气管镜引导下经支气管针吸活检术（EBUS-TBNA）对纵隔和肺门淋巴结肿大或支气管腔外肿物的诊断价值和安全性.方法 回顾性分析2011年5月～2013年7月于我院行EBUS-TBNA检查的136例患者临床资料.结果 共穿刺纵隔或肺门淋巴结185例次,腔外肿物44例次.病理学检查诊断为恶性肿瘤81例（64.3％）,良性疾病22例（17.5％）,可疑恶性疾病9例（7.1％）,病理结果无诊断意义14例（11.1％）,穿刺失败10例（7.3％）.恶性肿瘤中小细胞肺癌36例（44.4％）,非小细胞肺癌32例（39.5％）,恶性淋巴瘤1例（1.2％）,转移癌4例（4.9％）,无法分型者8例（9.9％）.良性疾病中肉芽肿性疾病16例（72.7％）,普通炎症2例（9.1％）,经抗酸染色直接明确诊断结核4例（18.2％）,肉芽肿性疾病中诊断结核3例（18.8％）,结节病11例（68.8％）,曲霉菌感染2例（12.5％）.EBUS-TBNA诊断恶性疾病的敏感度为90.0％,特异度为100％;诊断良性疾病的敏感度为37.5％,特异度为100％.所有患者术中术后均未发生严重并发症.结论 EBUS-TBNA对不明原因纵隔-肺门淋巴结肿大或气管/支气管腔外病变的诊断具有重要价值.     

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.     

Bronchoscopy in sarcoidosis: diagnostic and therapeutic interventions

Flexible bronchoscopy has revolutionized the evaluation of patients with suspected sarcoidosis and the treatment of sarcoid patients with significant endobronchial disease. The authors explore the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of flexible bronchoscopy by reviewing the pertinent literature with a special interest in recent studies. Bronchoscopy allows multiple diagnostic modalities in suspected sarcoidosis. Recent studies show sometimes surprising results, and the authors review the additive contributions of transbronchial lung biopsy, endobronchial biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration, and bronchoalveolar lavage to diagnose sarcoidosis. New data specifically show the additive benefit of routine endobronchial biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration to traditional transbronchial biopsy specimens. In addition, the techniques have been optimized via recent studies and these results are discussed. Endobronchial therapy is reviewed with the recent findings of the superiority of balloon bronchoplasty. Flexible bronchoscopy has a very high diagnostic yield in all stages of suspected sarcoidosis. Transbronchial lung biopsy and endobronchial biopsy should be used routinely, and transbronchial needle aspiration should be considered in cases of significant adenopathy. Bronchoalveolar lavage should be used routinely to exclude alternative diagnoses. Therapeutic bronchoscopy is rarely needed, but when necessary the authors' procedure of choice is bronchoscopic balloon dilatation.     

Ultrasound techniques in the evaluation of the mediastinum,part I: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transcutaneous mediastinal ultrasound (TMUS), introduction into ultrasound techniques

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 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 (EUS and EBUS) should be the initial tissue sampling test over surgical staging. Mediastinal nodes can be sampled from the airways [EBUS combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)] or the esophagus [EUS fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]. EBUS and EUS have a complementary diagnostic yield and in combination virtually all mediastinal lymph nodes 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 I is dealing with an introduction into ultrasound techniques, mediastinal lymph node anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques and part II with the clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography.     

经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术在纵隔疾病诊断中的价值

目的探讨经纤维支气管镜超声引导针吸活检术（endobronchialultrasound—guidedtransbronchialneedleaspiration,EBUS—TBNA）在纵隔疾病诊断中的价值。方法2009年1月至2010年12月对326例经CT扫描发现有纵隔病变患者,在支气管镜检查过程中完成EBUS—TBNA操作,直接涂片送检。结果326例患者中,192例常规气管镜检查无黏膜及管腔改变,47例局部黏膜增厚肿胀或有小结节样改变,62例管腔呈轻度外压型改变,25例气管局部软骨环消失。326例患者共穿刺486个位点,获得阳性诊断304例,阳性率为93．25％（304／326）,其中恶性肿瘤260例（79．75％,260／326）,分别为肺鳞癌81例、肺腺癌78例、肺大细胞未分化癌8例、肺小细胞未分化癌74例、肺淋巴瘤7例、难以分类的恶性肿瘤12例;良性病变44例,分别为结节病32例、结核病7例、慢性淋巴结炎5例。486个位点共穿刺576针,482针（83．6％,482／576）经纤维支气管镜针吸活检术（transbronehialneedleaspiration,TBNA）涂片获得阳性诊断,其中恶性肿瘤421针（肺鳞癌137针、肺腺癌124针、肺大细胞未分化癌19针、肺小细胞未分化癌117针、肺淋巴瘤11针、难以分类的恶性肿瘤13针）,良性病变61针（分别为结节病43针、结核病11针、慢性淋巴结炎7针）;48针涂片中可见多个淋巴细胞团,认为穿刺成功,但无阳性发现;29针涂片可见较多纤毛柱状上皮细胞,未穿透气管壁,穿刺失败;17针涂片未见明显的细胞成分。TBNA并发症：31例患者穿刺部位少量出血,勿需特别处理;5例穿刺针误刺入血管内抽出新鲜血液,及时更换穿刺点顺利完成操作;未出现纵隔气肿、纵隔感染等不良反应。患者均能很好耐受操作。结论EBUS—TBNA创伤性小、安全性高,是诊断纵隔病变的有效方法。