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.     

Needle wash solution cultures following EBUS-TBNA with or without endobronchial intubation

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive procedure with a high diagnostic yield in lesions adjacent to the airways. However, complications associated with EBUS-TBNA, such as mediastinitis, have recently been reported. Oral bacteria contamination in punctured lymph nodes can cause severe infections. In the current study, we investigated whether endobronchial intubation using EBUS-TBNA can prevent oral bacterial contamination of punctured lymph nodes.

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.     

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。     

支气管内超声引导针吸活检术在纵隔肿物及纵隔肿大淋巴结诊断中的临床应用

目的探讨支气管内超声引导针吸活检术(endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration,EBUS-TBNA)在明确纵隔肿物性质和纵隔或肺门肿大淋巴结定性诊断中的应用价值。方法 2012年4月至2013年12月期间,对胸部CT或PET/CT检查提示纵隔占位、纵隔或肺门淋巴结肿大≥1cm的患者行EBUSTBNA检查,阴性者进一步接受纵隔镜检查或胸腔镜、开胸手术明确病变性质。结果本组共203例病例,EBUS-TBNA明确诊断阳性者180例,其中诊断为小细胞肺癌54例,非小细胞肺癌119例,食管癌1例,贲门癌1例,鼻咽癌2例,淋巴瘤3例;EBUS-TBNA阴性者23例,其中5例最终证实为非小细胞肺癌的纵隔淋巴结转移,1例为小细胞肺癌,其余17例为良性病变。EBUS-TBNA在纵隔病变或纵隔淋巴结转移诊断中的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为96.8%、100%、97%。检查过程中,患者耐受性均较好,所有病人均无严重并发症发生。结论 EBUSTBNA是一种对纵隔病变及纵隔肿大淋巴结定性诊断安全、有效的方法。     

支气管内超声引导针吸活检术在肺癌诊断中的临床研究

目的本研究旨在探讨支气管内超声引导针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)在肺癌诊断及分子病理检查中的临床意义。方法本研究共入组104例临床可疑肺癌患者,均进行了支气管内超声检查或超声引导针吸活检术,并对所收集的标本进行了病理学检测。采用扩增受阻突变体系检测EGFR基因突变,免疫组织化学法进行肺癌标志物检测。采用SPSS 19.0进行统计学分析。结果 104例患者均成功进行了支气管内超声检查,成功率为100%。行穿刺患者87例,穿刺率为83.7%,均完成针吸活检术,穿刺成功率为100%。行针吸活检术的患者均无出血、气胸或感染等并发症发生。选取5例标本进行EGFR基因突变检测,DNA质量合格,2例患者为EGFR敏感突变。4例标本行细胞免疫组化,成功率为100%。患者术中5min、15min及手术结束时HR、SBP及DBP值与基础值比较均无显著性差异(t=1.599,P0.05)。结论行EBUS-TBNA的患者比率高,该方法创伤小,安全性高,可重复性强,其标本质量与数量可进行后续分子病理及细胞病理学检查,为肺癌准确分期及肺癌精准化个体化治疗提供了可靠的技术支持。     

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration to evaluate the status of N2 in preoperative non-small cell lung cancer: a diagnostic test

BackgroundAs a minimally invasive method, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) was more accurate than non-invasive methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the lymph nodes in preoperative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PET/CT has more anatomical advantages than PET scanning and is more accurate in lung cancer staging. However, no relevant studies have comparatively evaluated PET/CT and EBUS-TBNA for NSCLC patients.MethodsA total of 112 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. The golden diagnosis of N2 status was postoperative pathological results. In EBUS-TBNA puncture specimens, if clear malignant tumor cells could be seen, the results were taken as positive. In PET/CT image analysis, the CT values, short diameter, and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of each lymph node were recorded to evaluate N2 status. The results of PET/CT and EBUS-TBNA were compared with the final pathological results, and respective sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. - Then, the patients were divided into adenocarcinoma group and squamous cell carcinoma group -and the results were calculated and compared with the above method.ResultsThe results showed that EBUS-TBNA had a higher diagnostic value for mediastinal lymph nodes than PET/CT, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). In NSCLC patients, the results showed that the sensitivity (P=0.013), specificity (P<0.001), PPV (P<0.001), NPV (P<0.001), and accuracy (P<0.001) of EBUS-TBNA were higher than that of PET/CT (AUC =0.954 and 0.636, respectively). In adenocarcinoma cases, specificity (P<0.001), PPV (P<0.001), NPV (P<0.001), and accuracy (P<0.001) of EBUS-TBNA were higher than that of PET/CT (AUC =0.957 and 0.596, respectively).In cases with squamous cell carcinoma, specificity (P=0.003), PPV (P<0.001), and accuracy (P<0.001) of EBUS-TBNA were higher than PET/CT (AUC =0.952 and 0.657, respectively).ConclusionsFor preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node metastases in NSCLC, EBUS-TBNA is more accurate than PET/CT. For those patients with suspected mediastinal lymph node metastasis, EBUS-TBNA should be preferred method to evaluate the status of mediastinal lymph nodes.     

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.     

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.     

Clinical validity of 25-gauge endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle in lymph node staging of lung cancer

BackgroundEndobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is recommended for lymph node (LN) staging in lung cancer. Although 22-gauge needles are widely used, they may make some stations difficult to puncture owing to an acute angle. A thinner 25-gauge needle was introduced in Japan at the end of 2016 and offered structural advantages such as improved flexibility and penetrability. We aimed to validate the clinical utility of the 25-gauge needle in LN staging.MethodsPatients who underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for LN staging of lung cancer using the 25-gauge needle at our institution between November 2016 and March 2019 were included. Patient characteristics, staging procedures, pathology findings, and genetic testing success rates were assessed.ResultsData of 130 patients were included in the analysis. The sampling rate was 87.6% (589/672 lesions). In addition to stations #4R, #7, and #11, which are generally easy to puncture, multiple stations (40.1%) were sampled. The diagnostic accuracy of combined computed tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was 82.3% and that of additional endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was 96.9%. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values validated using resected specimens were 97.1% (34/35), 100% (41/41), 100% (34/34), and 97.6% (41/42), respectively. The success rate of genetic testing was 100% (34/34).ConclusionsThe new 25-gauge needle enabled us to approach a wide range of LNs with a desirable sampling rate and diagnostic accuracy in LN staging using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, while providing enough tissue for genetic testing.     

超声弹性成像与常规超声诊断肝脏局灶性良恶性病变价值比较

目的 探讨超声弹性成像5分法在肝脏局灶良、恶性病变中的诊断价值。方法 本院2013年8月至2016年2月收治的78例肝脏局灶性良、恶性病变患者,采用常规超声检查和超声弹性成像5分法评定肝脏局灶性病变性质,以手术组织病理学检查为金标准,比较两种超声检查方法的诊断效能。结果 在78例肝脏局灶性病灶患者,经病理学检查诊断为恶性病灶54例,其中胆管细胞癌4例,转移性肝癌11例,肝细胞癌39例,诊断为良性病灶24例,其中肝局灶性结节性增生4例,肝血管瘤9例,肝脓肿11例;常规超声检查诊断恶性病变的灵敏度为75.9%（41/54）,诊断良性病变的特异度为75.0%（18/24）,准确度为75.6%（59/78）,阳性预测值为87.2%（41/47）,阴性预测值为58.1%（18/31）;弹性成像5 分法诊断恶性病变的灵敏度为98.1%（53/54）,诊断良性病变的特异度为79.2%（19/24）,准确度为92.3%（72/78）,阳性预测值为91.4%（53/58）,阴性预测值为95.0%（19/20）。与常规超声检查比,弹性成像的诊断效能较高,差异具有统计学意义（x2=8.050,P=0.005）。结论 在鉴别诊断肝脏局灶性病变性质方面,超声弹性成像5分法比常规超声检查更灵敏和更准确,具有极大的临床应用价值。     

径向探头超声支气管镜引导支气管透壁肺活检术在外周肺病变诊断中的应用

目的探讨径向探头超声支气管镜引导支气管透壁肺活检术(R-EBUS-TBLB)在外周肺病变(PPLs)诊断中的价值及应用,评估其诊断成功率、影响因素及安全性。 方法回顾性总结2017年8月至2019年1月在我科接受R-EBUS-TBLB检查的86例患者的临床资料,观察R-EBUS对病灶的定位能力,分析其诊断成功率及影响因素,观察有无并发症,进行安全性评估。 结果R-EBUS病灶探及率为89.53%(77/86),R-EBUS-TBLB在PPLs中的总诊断率为59.30%(51/86),对直径≥2 cm、位于中下叶、距离肺门近、超声内部回声不均匀、边缘不连续的病灶确诊率均高于直径<2 cm、位于上叶、距离肺门远、超声内部回声均匀、边缘连续的病灶(P<0.05);病灶包绕超声探头的诊断率为78.26%(36/46),病灶边缘临近超声探头的诊断率为41.94%(13/31),两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。R-EBUS-TBLB对PPLs的诊断敏感性为59.30%,特异性为100%,阳性预测值以及阴性预测值分别为100%和42.22%。R-EBUS-TBLB的安全性较高,86例受检者中仅有7例需要镜下局部止血,其余均为少量出血,无需特殊处理,未见气胸等并发症的发生。 结论R-EBUS-TBLB安全有效,对PPLs有重要的诊断意义和较高的应用价值。病灶大小、部位以及超声探头和病灶的位置关系是影响R-EBUS-TBLB诊断效能的主要因素。     

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.     

多种活检在周围型肺癌诊断中的应用

目的研究CT引导下经皮肺活检（CT-PLB）与经支气管镜肺活检（TBLB）或经支气管针吸活检（TBNA）在周围型肺癌诊断中的应用。方法对143例周围型肺癌患者的诊断方法进行分析,其中137例通过单用或联合采用CT-PLB、TBLB、TBNA等检查手段取得病理学诊断,6例为术后病理学诊断。结果 CT-PLB确诊率为85.4%,TBLB确诊率为68.4%,TBNA确诊率为80%,联合应用总确诊率为95.8%。结论对于肺周围型病变,根据病灶大小、位置、与胸壁距离、有否纵隔淋巴结转移等具体情况选择合适的活检方式可取得病理学诊断,多种方法联合应用可提高检出率。     

TBNA with and without EBUS: a comparative efficacy study for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer

Introduction

Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has been around for over 30 years with sensitivities approaching 70-90%. Recent development of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) TBNA demonstrated even higher sensitivities among experts. However EBUS-TBNA is more costly and less available worldwide than conventional TBNA. A comparison study to determine the efficacy of TBNA with and without EBUS in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer is described.

Methods

A total of 287 patients with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy presenting for diagnosis and/or staging of lung cancer at enrolling institutions were included. Equal numbers of punctures were performed at the target lymph node stations using conventional TBNA techniques followed by EBUS-TBNA at the same sites. Patients and puncture sites that were biopsied by both methods and were positive for lung cancer were compared to establish efficacy of each technique on the same patients.

Results

In 253 patients at least one pair of specimens were obtained by conventional TBNA and EBUS-TBNA. In 83 of these patients malignancy was diagnosed. Among the 83 patients with a diagnosis of a malignancy there was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield of conventional TBNA versus EBUS-TBNA. When comparing diagnosis of malignancy for each lymph node sampled, there were a significantly greater number of positive (diagnostic for malignancy) lymph nodes sampled by EBUS-TBNA.

Conclusions

Recommendations for current practice depend on individual centers and bronchoscopist comfort level with TBNA (with or without EBUS). In our study, no significant difference was seen between the techniques for the diagnosis and staging of individual patients.     

The value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration, 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography,and ultrasonography imaging techniques in the diagnosis of mediastinal and/or hilar malignant,anthracotic, and other benign lymph nodes

Introduction:Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a simple, reliable, minimally invasive and effective procedure. However, a surgical technique may be required, if the results are negative. Therefore, there is a need for new studies to increase the diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA and provide additional information to guide the biopsy in performing the procedure. Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of EBUS-TBNA and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in diagnosis of hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs). It was also aimed to determine the contributions of real-time ultrasonography (USG) images of LNs to distinguishing between the malignant and benign LNs during EBUS-TBNA, and in the diagnosis of anthracotic LNs.Material and Method:In the retrospective study including 545 patients, 1068 LNs were sampled by EBUS-TBNA between January 2015 and February 2020. EBUS-TBNA, 18-FDG PET/CT and images of USG were investigated in the diagnosis of mediastinal and/or hilar malignant, anthracotic and other benign LNs.Results:The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of EBUS-TBNA were found as 79.5, 98.1, 89.5, and 91.7%, respectively. Mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) values of 18F-FDG PET/CT were 6.31±4.3 in anthracotic LNs and 5.07 ± 2.53 in reactive LNs. Also, mean SUVmax of malignant LNs was 11.02 ± 7.30 and significantly higher than that of benign LNs. In differentiation of malignant-benign tumors, considering the cut off value of 18F-FDG PET/CT SUVmax as 2.72, the sensitivity and specificity was 99.3 and 11.7%, but given the cut off value as 6.48, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was found as 76.5, 64, 20.49, and 78.38% for benign LNs, respectively. Compared LNs as to internal structure and contour features, malignant LNs had most often irregular contours and heterogeneous density. Anthracotic, reactive and other benign LNs were most frequently observed as regular contours and homogeneous density. The difference between malignant and benign LNs was significant.Conclusion:EBUS can contribute to the differential diagnosis of malignant, anthracotic and other benign LNs. Such contributions can guide clinician bronchoscopists during EBUS-TBNA. The triple modality of EBUS-TBNA, 18FDG PET/CT, and USG may increase the diagnostic value in hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathies.