Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA): Applications in chest disease

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) offers a minimally invasive option for staging the mediastinum in suspect lung cancer but also in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions accessible from the airway. This review is aimed at centres considering establishing an EBUS service that may not be so familiar with the technique. It focuses primarily on technical aspects of EBUS-TBNA, training issues, cost considerations, indications, advantages and disadvantages compared with other mediastinal sampling techniques as well as some reference to its performance in clinical studies.
In summary, EBUS-TBNA is primarily used for staging non-small cell lung cancer, especially for bulky mediastinal disease and discrete N2 or N3 disease on CT, but also used for the diagnosis of unexplained mediastinal lymphadenopathy. For radical treatment staging, mediastinoscopy is still used at many centres and negative EBUS-TBNA results should be corroborated by mediastinoscopy. In the future, EBUS-TBNA may be used for staging the radiologically normal mediastinum and in re-staging. It is a procedure that can be taught with ease by an experienced operator, has numerous advantages over mediastinoscopy and is potentially cost saving by reducing the number of mediastinoscopies and associated peri-operative support required.     

A rare case of mediastinal metastasis of ovarian carcinoma diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become a minimally invasive tool with excellent diagnostic accuracy and low risk of complications in the diagnosis of thoracic diseases, including lung cancers and primary mediastinal lesions. Occasionally, EBUS-TBNA may be useful in identifying thoracic metastasis from distant tumors. Here we report an interesting and rare case of mediastinal metastasis of ovarian carcinoma diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA.     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for lung cancer staging: early experience in Brazil

Objective:

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive, safe and accurate method for collecting samples from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. This study focused on the initial results obtained with EBUS-TBNA for lung cancer and lymph node staging at three teaching hospitals in Brazil.

Methods:

This was a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and submitted to EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal lymph node staging. The EBUS-TBNA procedures, which involved the use of an EBUS scope, an ultrasound processor, and a compatible, disposable 22 G needle, were performed while the patients were under general anesthesia.

Results:

Between January of 2011 and January of 2014, 149 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA for lymph node staging. The mean age was 66 ± 12 years, and 58% were male. A total of 407 lymph nodes were sampled by EBUS-TBNA. The most common types of lung neoplasm were adenocarcinoma (in 67%) and squamous cell carcinoma (in 24%). For lung cancer staging, EBUS-TBNA was found to have a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 85%.

Conclusions:

We found EBUS-TBNA to be a safe and accurate method for lymph node staging in lung cancer patients.     

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.     

Current status and clinical applicability of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has played a key role in the diagnosis of mediastinal, paratracheal, and peribronchial lesions, as well as in lymph node staging for lung cancer. Despite its minimally invasive character, EBUS-TBNA has demonstrated a diagnostic yield comparable with that of established surgical methods. It has therefore gained credibility and has become a routine procedure at various referral centers. A successful EBUS-TBNA procedure requires careful planning, which includes a thorough review of the radiological imaging and special care during specimen collection and preparation, as well as technical expertise, experience with the procedure itself, and knowledge of the potential complications inherent to the procedure. The most common indications for EBUS-TBNA include lymph node staging for lung cancer and the diagnostic investigation of mediastinal/hilar masses and lymph node enlargement. Recently, tumor biomarkers in malignant samples collected during the EBUS-TBNA procedure have begun to be identified, and this molecular analysis has proven to be absolutely feasible. The EBUS-TBNA procedure has yet to be included on the Brazilian Medical Association list of medical procedures approved for reimbursement. The EBUS-TBNA procedure has shown to be a safe and accurate tool for lung cancer staging/restaging, as well as for the diagnosis of mediastinal, paratracheal, and peribronchial lesions/lymph node enlargement     

全身麻醉下行EBUS-TBNA诊断纵隔病变的临床经验

目的探讨在全身麻醉下进行超声支气管镜引导下经支气管透壁针吸活检(EBUS-TBNA)的安全性及手术、麻醉方式。方法 2016年1月至2016年12月在第四军医大学唐都医院呼吸内镜中心接受EBUS-TBNA的患者71例,术前通过胸部CT或MRI提示为纵隔病变;20例患者接受常规丁卡因局部麻醉,51例静脉麻醉联合喉罩全身麻醉,回顾性分析其临床资料。结果 71例接受EBUS-TBNA在局部麻醉和全身麻醉下均可安全进行;局部麻醉组患者术中出现频繁体动、咳嗽、呻吟情况,其中2例中断检查,1例未取得标本;而全身麻醉组患者在安静状态下进行穿刺,咳嗽和支气管出血更少,可获得满意的组织标本,并未增加操作风险。结论全身麻醉下进行EBUS-TBNA更安全、可靠、舒适,值得临床推广应用。     

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。     

Nonsurgical staging of the mediastinum: EBUS and EUS

A tissue diagnosis is frequently needed for accurate lung cancer staging of mediastinal nodes as well as the assessment of mediastinal masses. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron-emission tomography (PET), and PET-CT provide some answers but no tissue diagnosis. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), a safe procedure that is performed during routine bronchoscopy, has a high impact on patient management. Unfortunately, TBNA remains underused in current daily practice, mainly due to the lack of real-time needle visualization. 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 esophagus can be assessed by esophageal 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 EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA will reduce the need for surgical staging of lung cancer significantly.     

经支气管镜气道内超声诊断的临床应用

传统气管镜和图像检查方法在确定肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期和外周小结节病变定性诊断上明显不足.往往需要纵隔镜及胸腔镜等有创方法来进一步确诊和评估分期.经支气管镜气道内超声检奁(endobronchial ultrasonograghy,EBUS)和超声下经支气管穿刺活检(endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration,EBUS-TBNA)是一种新的检查手段,利用超声探头通过支气管镜进入气道进行超声探测和获取病理的一种方法.该方法能大大拓展气管镜的视野,使其完全超越了气道壁的限制.采用EBUS和EBUS-TBNA对于纵隔肿瘤诊断和肺癌分期及判断肺癌患者有无纵隔转移有望代替纵隔镜和开胸探查,为肺癌和其他肺部病变提供新的检查方法.     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of lymph nodes in the radiologically and positron emission tomography-normal mediastinum in patients with lung cancer

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) can reliably sample enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and in practice is mostly used to sample nodes visible on CT or positron emission tomography (PET). Few data are available on the use of endoscopic procedures to stage the mediastinum in clinical stage 1 lung cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the results of EBUS-TBNA in sampling mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer and a radiographically normal mediastinum and no PET activity. From January 2004 to May 2007, patients highly suspicious for NSCLC with CT scans showing no enlarged lymph nodes (no node > 1 cm) and a negative PET finding of 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. One hundred patients (mean age, 52.4 years; 59 men) were included. After surgery, 97 patients (mean age, 52.9 years; 57 men) had NSCLC confirmed and were included in the analysis. In this group, 156 lymph nodes ranging 5 to 10 mm in size were detected and sampled. Malignancy was detected in nine patients but missed in one patient. Mean diameter of the punctured lymph nodes was 7.9 mm. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA for detecting malignancy was 89%, specificity was 100%, and the negative predictive value was 98.9%. No complications occurred. In conclusion, EBUS-TBNA can be used to accurately sample and stage patients with clinical stage 1 lung cancer and no evidence of mediastinal involvement on CT and PET. Potentially operable patients with no signs of mediastinal involvement may benefit from presurgical staging with EBUS-TBNA.     

Endoskopische Evaluation des Mediastinums

Diagnostic workup for mediastinal lymphomas or tumors should be performed once detected on a computed tomography (CT) scan. Cytologic/histologic verification is mandatory. In recent years, great technical progress has been made in diagnostic tools for mediastinal evaluation through the introduction of real-time endobronchial/endoscopic ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA/EUS-TBNA). Mediastinal masses and lymph node enlargement can be clarified using endosonographically guided biopsies; they play a key role in cytologic examination of mediastinal tumors. Endosonographically guided biopsy has a high sensitivity and a high false-negative rate of 20%, while mediastinoscopy has a sensitivity of 80–95% and a higher predictive value; being the best explored method in the literature, the latter also has the better diagnostic yield for mediastinal staging. We believe that EBUS-TBNA/EUS-TBNA should be considered for primary staging, but negative results must lead to a mediastinoscopic evaluation.     

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

BackgroundMassive 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsOther 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).ConclusionsEBUS-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.     

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。     

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。     

经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术在定性诊断不明原因肺门及纵隔肿块、纵隔淋巴结肿大中的应用价值

背景 不明原因肺门及纵隔肿块、纵隔淋巴结肿大是胸外科常见的一种疾病,尽管纵隔镜或胸腔镜检查是临床诊断纵隔病变良恶性的"金标准",但因对机体损伤较大、检查费用高昂、可重复性差等导致其临床应用受限,故寻找一种安全、有效的诊断方法一直是临床医师面对的难题.目的 探讨经气管镜超声引导针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)在定性诊断不...     

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.     

Mediastinal staging of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma by endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration

Mediastinal staging is of vital importance in the treatment planning of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer who do not have distant metastases. Nodal assessment is often a challenge, however, and the limitations of staging methods are well recognized. Noninvasive studies can yield a presumptive clinical stage, but invasive tests are often necessary to determine the status of nodes in the absence of extensive mediastinal infiltration. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration are minimally invasive additions to the staging armamentarium that facilitate nodal biopsy under direct visualization without full anesthesia. In some cases, these procedures offer the opportunity for a patient to receive both a tissue diagnosis and staging in one sitting. While their roles are debated and evolving, their availability is increasing and they are reducing the need for surgical staging. Radiologists contribute to the evaluation of patients who may benefit from these up-and-coming procedures and should become familiar with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.     

Convex probe endobronchial ultrasound: applications beyond conventional indications

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is maturing and gaining acceptance by more and more clinicians for lymph node staging of lung cancer and diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar masses or lymph node enlargement by convex probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS). The application of CP-EBUS, however, is not limited to conventional indications. Diagnostically, elastography is a new technology for the differentiation of benign and malignant lymph nodes before aspiration. CP-EBUS can also be used for pulmonary vascular diseases, such as pulmonary embolism (PE) and non-thrombotic endovascular lesions (NELs). Therapeutically, CP-EBUS can be used for cyst drainage and drug injections. CP-EBUS is not limited to observation and aspiration of mediastinal masses and lymph nodes, but is also suitable for exploration of other tissues external to the central airway, which necessitates unprecedented skills for the bronchoscopist.     

Endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound-guided real-time fine-needle aspiration for mediastinal staging.

Accurate staging of the mediastinum in lung cancer is essential for optimising treatment strategies. Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a blind procedure, reliant upon prior computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound imaging, but has low sensitivity. The current study reports the initial experience of using a prototype endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) probe that allows TBNA under real-time imaging. In 20 patients selected by CT scanning, a linear-array ultrasound bronchoscope was used to visualise paratracheal and hilar lymph nodes, and TBNA was performed under direct ultrasonic control. In seven cases, sequential endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was used to assess postero-inferior mediastinal lymph nodes. All procedures were performed under conscious sedation. EBUS-TBNA was undertaken in 18 out of 20 cases and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration in six out of seven cases. Cytology showed node (N)2/N3 disease in 11 out of 18 EBUS-TBNA cases and provided a primary diagnosis for eight patients. EBUS-TBNA cytology was negative in six cases, which was confirmed by mediastinoscopy or clinical follow-up in four. EUS provided additional information in all cases. There were no procedural complications. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for EBUS-TBNA were 85%, 100% and 89%, respectively. In conclusion, endobronchial ultrasound with real-time transbronchial needle aspiration offers improved sensitivity and accuracy for staging of the middle mediastinum, and, combined with endoscopic ultrasound, should allow investigation of the majority of the mediastinum.