Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration decreases the rate of surgical sampling of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested a decreased need for the surgical biopsy of intrathoracic lymph nodes (LNs) due to improved diagnostic rates utilizing transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) with endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound. The goal of this study was to determine whether conventional TBNA using combined cytologic and histologic analysis of tissue specimens impacted the rates of surgical diagnostic biopsies of patients with intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. METHODS: Retrospective review at a single academic center. All mediastinal and hilar tissue samples submitted for pathologic analysis over an 8.4-year period were analyzed. Patients were categorized into a "before" group and an "after" group based on two different time periods. The before group underwent only cytologic analysis of Wang needle (19-gauge or 21-gauge) aspirates. The after group had cytologic analysis of aspirates as well as histologic analysis of needle "core" (19 gauge) biopsy specimens. The groups were compared for the rate of intrathoracic LNs sampled by surgical means vs TBNA and the number of times that TBNA averted the need for a surgical diagnostic procedure. RESULTS: The success of TBNA increased significantly in the after group compared to that in the before group. The yield for the successful sampling of mediastinal and hilar LNs increased from 53 to 91% (p < 0.001) in the before group vs the after group. TBNA averted a surgical biopsy in 35% of the before cases compared to 66% of the after cases (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Conventional TBNA using large-bore needles with both cytology and surgical pathology evaluation decreases the need for surgical sampling of the mediastinum to diagnose thoracic lymphadenopathy.     

Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in transbronchial needle aspirates of non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: Somatic mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are closely associated with an objective response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, it is difficult to obtain sufficient tumor samples from patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), so these diagnoses are often made using cytology procedures alone. The aim of this study was to detect EGFR mutations in transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) samples using both direct sequencing and a highly sensitive assay (Scorpions Amplified Refractory Mutation System; DxS; Manchester, UK) [ARMS], and to compare the sensitivity of these methods. METHODS: We enrolled 94 patients (63 men and 31 women) with NSCLC in this study. Cytologic diagnoses were adenocarcinoma (n = 58), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 24), and other types of NSCLC (n = 12). We extracted DNA from the TBNA samples, and EGFR mutations were analyzed using both direct sequencing (exons 19 and 21) and the Scorpions ARMS method (E746 A750del and L858R). RESULTS: Mutations were detected in 31 patients (33%; 14 women and 17 men). Of these, 23 patients had adenocarcinoma, 4 had squamous cell carcinoma, and 4 had other types of NSCLC. Direct sequencing detected 13 mutations (14%) in 13 patients (E746-A750del, n = 6; L858R, n = 7), and the Scorpions ARMS method detected 27 mutations (29%) in 27 patients (E746 A750del, n = 16; L858R, n = 11 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Both methods detected EGFR mutations in TBNA samples, but Scorpions ARMS is more sensitive than direct sequencing.     

Endobronchial ultrasound

During flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB), a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is sampled by means of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), brush, or transbronchial lung biopsy under fluoroscopy; and mediastinal lymph nodes are sampled using "blind" TBNA. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) was developed to help visualize the lesion at the time of biopsy in order to improve the diagnostic yield. METHODS: There are two types of EBUS techniques: using a radial probe (RP) with a rotating transducer at the distal tip, which produces a 360 degrees image to the long axis of the bronchoscope; and using an EBUS bronchoscope with a linear transducer at its distal tip, producing a 50 degrees image parallel to its long axis. RESULTS: In biopsies of SPNs < 2 cm using an RP, EBUS demonstrates a higher diagnostic yield than conventional FB techniques. With mediastinal and hilar nodal stations, except for the subcarina, EBUS shows a higher yield over blind TBNA. The current procedural terminology code for EBUS is 31620, a "ZZZ" code submitted in addition to other performed procedures (31622-31638). In 2007, an estimate of physician Medicare reimbursement for EBUS is $70.49. Reimbursement is locality dependent and based on economic-exchange conversion factors. Incorporating an ultrasound image into the report substantiates the use of this technique. Limitations: The physician must learn ultrasound image interpretation and the EBUS technique, and be skilled in TBNA. Maintaining competency requires frequent performance of EBUS. CONCLUSION: EBUS-directed biopsy improves the yield over conventional FB for SPNs < 2 cm and for most mediastinal or hilar nodal stations. This reduces the need to conduct additional diagnostic procedures.     

Can Mediastinal Nodal Mobility Explain the Low Yield Rates for Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Without Real-Time Imaging?

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yields with transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for mediastinal nodes are highly variable. Nodal positions, as assessed on a breath-hold conventional CT scan, do not account for nodal motion. We studied nodal motion on four-dimensional (4D) CT scans. METHODS: A total of 47 mediastinal nodes were identified on 4D CT scans performed for radiotherapy planning in 25 patients with lung cancer. Nodes were mainly located at stations 4R, 4L, 7, and 2R, and each identified node was contoured in all 10 phases of the 4D CT scan. Nodal motion was correlated with changes in carina position. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) nodal diameter was 10.2 +/- 4.0 mm; and the mean nodal volume was 1.8 +/- 2.3 mL. Movement was maximal in the craniocaudal axis (mean length, 4.7 +/- 2.3 mm), and the corresponding mean mediolateral and ventrodorsal movements were 2.8 +/- 1.9 mm and 2.4 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively. The mean three-dimensional displacement of the nodal center was 6.2 +/- 2.9 mm, and it exceeded 10 mm in five nodes. The nodal mass was constantly present in only 25 +/- 14% of the region encompassing all nodal positions. The mean variation in craniocaudal distance between all nodes and the carina position during respiration was 5.3 +/- 2.1 mm (range, 2.2 to 10.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Both nodal motion and the varying distance between the carina and nodal position may explain the lower diagnostic yields for TBNA procedures performed without real-time guidance.     

Small cell carcinoma of the lung exclusively localized within the left descending pulmonary artery

We encountered a 69-year-old woman displaying a filling defect within the left descending pulmonary artery (PA) on a chest CT scan and pulmonary angiography. A subsequent 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan demonstrated focal uptake in the left hilum. A cytologic examination of transbronchial needle aspiration specimens revealed small cell carcinoma. The patient underwent concurrent radiation therapy and chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide, resulting in tumor shrinkage and recanalization of the involved PA. This is the first case of small cell carcinoma localized exclusively within the PA, and positive findings on FDG-PET facilitated the unexpected diagnosis.     

Diagnostic usefulness of fluorine-18-alpha-methyltyrosine positron emission tomography in combination with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in sarcoidosis patients

OBJECTIVES: L-[3-(18)F]-alpha-methyltyrosine ((18)F-FMT) is an amino-acid tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) and is used for tumor detection because malignant tumor cells accumulate (18)F-FMT based on the increased expression of an amino-acid transporter. This study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of (18)F-FMT PET in combination with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in patients with suspected malignancy. SETTING: Twenty-four sarcoidosis patients with suspected malignancy underwent (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FMT PET. The study included 17 patients with extrapulmonary manifestation mimicking malignant disease (13 patients with systemic lymphadenopathy, 3 of them with concomitant hepatosplenic processes; 3 patients with hepatosplenic processes without concomitant lymphadenopathy; and 1 patient with multiple bone lesions), 3 patients with occurrence of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy in cancer patients, and 4 patients with multiple nodules mimicking pulmonary metastasis. RESULTS: All patients showed increased uptake of (18)F-FDG and no increase in the accumulation of (18)F-FMT in their lymphadenopathy. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) of (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FMT were 5.01 +/- 2.15 and 0.77 +/- 0.24, respectively (mean +/- SD). All extranodal lesions such as liver, spleen, and bone were visually positive on (18)F-FDG PET and negative on (18)F-FMT PET. No neoplasm was confirmed in all patients. In a control group of patients with lung cancer, SUVs for (18)F-FDG and (18)F-FMT were 6.34 +/- 2.52 and 1.54 +/- 0.82, respectively. CONCLUSION: The uptake of (18)F-FDG was positive in the sarcoid lesions, and therefore (18)F-FDG PET could not differentiate sarcoidosis from malignant disease. Use of (18)F-FMT PET in combination with (18)F-FDG PET may be the effective method to distinguish sarcoidosis from malignancy.     

A clinical model to estimate the pretest probability of lung cancer in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules

BACKGROUND: Estimating the clinical probability of malignancy in patients with a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) can facilitate the selection and interpretation of subsequent diagnostic tests. METHODS: We used multiple logistic regression analysis to identify independent clinical predictors of malignancy and to develop a parsimonious clinical prediction model to estimate the pretest probability of malignancy in a geographically diverse sample of 375 veterans with SPNs. We used data from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative databases and a recently completed VA Cooperative Study that evaluated the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) scans for the diagnosis of SPNs. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) age of subjects in the sample was 65.9 +/- 10.7 years. The prevalence of malignant SPNs was 54%. Most participants were either current smokers (n = 177) or former smokers (n = 177). Independent predictors of malignant SPNs included a positive smoking history (odds ratio [OR], 7.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6 to 23.6), older age (OR, 2.2 per 10-year increment; 95% CI, 1.7 to 2.8), larger nodule diameter (OR, 1.1 per 1-mm increment; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.2), and time since quitting smoking (OR, 0.6 per 10-year increment; 95% CI, 0.5 to 0.7). Model accuracy was very good (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.84), and there was excellent agreement between the predicted probability and the observed frequency of malignant SPNs. CONCLUSIONS: Our prediction rule can be used to estimate the pretest probability of malignancy in patients with SPNs, and thereby facilitate clinical decision making when selecting and interpreting the results of diagnostic tests such as PET imaging.     

Automatic objective diagnosis of lymph nodal disease by B-mode images from convex-type echobronchoscopy

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether artificial neural networks (ANNs) could diagnose pathology of lymph nodes by feeding B-mode images from convex-type echobronchoscopy to ANNs. METHODS: Subjects comprised 91 patients who had undergone endobronchial ultrasonography transbronchial needle aspiration at our hospital between April 2005 and March 2007. Diagnosis was lymph node metastasis from lung cancer in 66 patients, and sarcoidosis in 25 patients. Layered ANNs consisting of input, middle layers, and output layers were prepared. Back-propagation was chosen as a learning algorithm. For the malignant findings, images obtained from six patients with lymph node metastasis of lung cancer (ie, adenocarcinoma, two patients; squamous cell carcinoma, two patients; small cell carcinoma, two patients) were used. As benign findings, typical images obtained from three patients with sarcoidosis were used. For each image used for supervised training, 5, 10, or 15 regions of interest were randomly selected. Repeated learning comprised either 500,000 or 1,000,000 repetitions. A total of five thoracic surgeons were asked to diagnose the pathology base on the same images. Accuracies were compared between ANNs and thoracic surgeons. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of the surgeon with 5 years of experience and that of the surgeon with 1 year of experience were 78% and 51%, respectively, compared to 91% for the ANNs. CONCLUSION: Assessment of B-mode images by ANNs may offer a useful basis for automatic diagnostic methods.     

The safety and benefit of pancreatic juice cytology under ERCP in IPMN patients

BackgroundInternational consensus guidelines 2012 for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN), defined two characteristics: high-risk stigmata (HRS) and worrisome features (WF). Patients with WF require detailed examination including cytology. However, routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for cytology is not recommended in the guidelines due to risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Our aim was to clarify what types of IPMN were susceptible for PEP and gain benefit of ERCP.Patients/methodsWe examined 138 consecutive IPMN patients who underwent ERCP in our hospital, retrospectively. Patients were classified into HRS, WF and the others (N) based on imaging findings before ERCP. We assessed pancreatic juice cytology, PEP frequency and rate of malignant IPMN at 12 months after ERCP.ResultsThe rates of cytological malignancy were 0% (N), 4.8% (WF) and 19.5% (HRS). The PEP frequency was 14.5%, and these risk factors were branch duct (BD)-IPMN, body/tail cysts and brush cytology by multivariate logistic analysis. The rates of malignant IPMN were 0% (N), 16.4% (WF) and 48.8% (HRS). Furthermore, we examined patients with WF in detail. The PEP frequency/rate of malignancy were 3.6%/23.1% in patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation (5–9 mm), and the sensitivity of cytology was 33.3%. On the other hand, the PEP frequency/rate of malignancy were 17.2%/0% in patients with BD-IPMN fulfilling only cyst size over 30 mm.ConclusionsRoutine ERCP for IPMN, especially for BD-IPMN, is not recommended. ERCP may be beneficial for WF patients with MPD dilatation based on a balance between PEP risk and presence of malignancy.     

Transbronchial needle aspirates: comparison of two preparation methods

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Transbronchial needle aspiration has evolved as a key bronchoscopic sampling method. Specimen handling and preparation are underrated yet crucial aspects of the technique. This study was designed to identify which of two widely practiced sample preparation methods has a higher yield. DESIGN: Prospective comparison of two diagnostic methods. SETTING: Tertiary academic hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients undergoing transbronchial needle aspiration. INTERVENTIONS: Transbronchial aspirates were obtained pairwise. One specimen was placed directly onto a slide and smears were prepared on site (ie, the direct technique), and the other specimen was deposited into a vial containing 95% alcohol and further prepared in the laboratory (ie, the fluid technique). In total, 282 pairs of samples were aspirated from 145 target sites (paratracheal, 10 sites; tracheobronchial, 101 sites; hilar, 17 sites; endobronchial or peripheral, 17 sites). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The measured outcome was the presence of diagnostic material at the final laboratory assessment. At least one diagnostic aspirate was obtained in 66% of 86 investigated patients (small cell lung cancer, 18 patients; non-small cell lung cancer, 47 patients; other diagnoses, 21 patients). The direct technique had a better yield overall than the fluid technique (positive aspirates, 36.2% vs 12.4%, respectively; p < 0.01), as well as after stratification for tumor type and for anatomic site. CONCLUSION: The direct technique is superior to the fluid technique for the preparation of transbronchial needle aspirates.     

Induced sputum in the very young: a new key to infection and inflammation

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation and infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and other lung diseases begin early, making noninvasive diagnostic techniques vital. As induced sputum (IS) testing is useful in older patients, we investigated its adaptation to young nonexpectorating children. METHODS: Following the inhalation of a 4.5% saline solution, sputum was collected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal suction for culture and testing for inflammatory markers, with paired preceding oropharyngeal cough swabs (OCSs) in a subgroup. Specimens from 48 IS procedures (46 successful) in 20 CF children (median age, 3 years) were compared with 8 specimens from 8 non-CF pulmonary patients (median age, 4.5 years). RESULTS: The procedure was safe, with arterial oxygen saturation remaining at > or = 96%. Cultures from 14 of 46 CF patients (30%) grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas cultures from 19 of 46 CF patients (41%) had no growth. Cultures from seven of eight non-CF subjects grew bacteria, but none were P aeruginosa. Comparing 29 paired IS and OCS samples, 11 and 5 samples, respectively, cultured P aeruginosa (not significant), whereas 12 and 21 samples, respectively, had no growth (p = 0.02). A correlation was found between the independent inflammatory markers NE and both interleukin (IL)-8 (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) and the percentage of neutrophils (r = 0.35; p < 0.05), confirming the validity of IS samples in evaluating early airway disease. IL-8 levels also increased with age (r = 0.41; p < 0.05). Inflammation was similar in CF and non-CF subjects. CONCLUSIONS: IS testing in the young is feasible, safe, and clinically useful, and could serve as an outcome measure for new therapies.     

Pulmonary Nodular Ground-Glass Opacities in Patients With Extrapulmonary Cancers: What is Their Clinical Significance and How Can We Determine Whether They Are Malignant or Benign Lesions?

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of pulmonary nodular ground-glass opacities (NGGOs) in patients with extrapulmonary cancers is not known, although there is an urgent need for study on this topic. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the clinical significance of pulmonary NGGOs in these patients, and to develop a computerized scheme to distinguish malignant from benign NGGOs. METHODS: Fifty-nine pathologically proven pulmonary NGGOs in 34 patients with a history of extrapulmonary cancer were studied. We reviewed the CT scan characteristics of NGGOs and the clinical features of these patients. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were constructed and tested as a classifier distinguishing malignant from benign NGGOs. The performance of ANNs was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (82.4%) were determined to have malignancies. Forty NGGOs (67.8%) were diagnosed as malignancies (adenocarcinomas, 24; bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, 16). Among the rest of the NGGOs, 14 were atypical adenomatous hyperplasias, 4 were focal fibrosis, and 1 was an inflammatory nodule. There were no cases of metastasis appearing as NGGOs. Between malignant and benign NGGOs, there were significant differences in lesion size; the presence of internal solid portion; the size and proportion of the internal solid portion; the lesion margin; and the presence of bubble lucency, air bronchogram, or pleural retraction (p < 0.05). Using these characteristics, ANNs showed excellent accuracy (z value, 0.973) in discriminating malignant from benign NGGOs. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary NGGOs in patients with extrapulmonary cancers tend to have high malignancy rates and are very often primary lung cancers. ANNs might be a useful tool in distinguishing malignant from benign NGGOs.     

Requirement of a single high-risk feature as an indication for EUS for the diagnosis of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts

Background and aimsEndoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is widely used to evaluate pancreatic cysts. Recent American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guideline limits EUS for evaluation of cysts with at-least two high-risk features (size ≥ 3 cm, dilated main pancreatic duct or presence of a solid component). We have investigated the impact of this guideline on sensitivity of EUS for pancreatic cancer and the reduction of EUS procedures for pancreas cysts.MethodsEUS procedures performed between 2004 and 2015 and related patient records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the presence or absence of high-risk features, and for the results of fine needle aspiration cytology.ResultsTwo hundred ten patients (108 males) underwent EUS for diagnostic evaluation of pancreatic cysts. Four patients (1.9%), all with at-least one high-risk feature, were diagnosed with cytologically-proven pancreatic cancer. Only 2 patients with cancer had at-least two high-risk features that would have warranted EUS examination based on the new AGA guideline. The requirement for at-least two high-risk features would have decreased the number of EUS procedures by 91%, but reduced the sensitivity for pancreatic malignancy to 50%. If only one high-risk feature was required, EUS procedures would have been decreased by 67%, with a sensitivity of 100%.ConclusionLimiting EUS to patients with pancreatic cysts with 2 or more high-risk features may substantially reduce the sensitivity for pancreatic malignancy. Performing EUS in patients with at least one high-risk feature may substantially decrease the need of invasive procedures without reducing sensitivity for detecting malignancy.     

Reduced intrathoracic blood volume and left and right ventricular dimensions in patients with severe emphysema: an MRI study

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) filling is impaired in patients with severe emphysema manifesting in small end-diastolic dimensions. We hypothesized that the hyperinflated lungs of these patients with high intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure will decrease intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) and ventricular preload. We therefore measured ITBV, and LV and right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function using MRI techniques in patients with severe emphysema. METHODS: Patients with severe emphysema (n = 13) and matched healthy volunteers (n = 11) were included. The magnetic resonance (MR) examination consisted of three parts: (1) evaluation of RV and LV dimensions and function and interventricular septum curvature using cine MRI; (2) quantification of aortic flow using MR phase velocity mapping; and (3) calculation of the cardiopulmonary peak transit time (PTT) from the pulmonary artery to the ascending aorta using contrast-enhanced, time-resolved, two-dimensional MR angiography. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups regarding age, height, or weight. In the emphysema patients, ITBV index (- 35%), LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) [- 21%], RV end-diastolic volume index (- 20%), cardiac index (- 22%), and stroke volume index (SVI) [- 40%] were lower compared to control subjects. LV and RV end-systolic volumes, LV wall mass, septal curvature, and PTT did not differ between the groups. LVEDVI (r = 0.83) as well as SVI (r = 0.82) correlated closely to ITBV index. SVI correlated closely to LVEDVI (r = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: LV and RV performance is impaired in patients with severe emphysema because of small end-diastolic dimensions. One possible explanation for the decreased biventricular preload in these patients is intrathoracic hypovolemia caused by hyperinflated lungs.     

Occult traumatic pneumothorax: diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasonography in the emergency department

BACKGROUND: The role of chest ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of pneumothorax (PTX) has been established, but how it compares with lung CT scanning in the diagnosis of radiooccult PTX and in the determination of its topographic extension has not yet been completely evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of chest US in the emergency department (ED) in the diagnosis of occult PTX in trauma patients and to define its ability to determine PTX extension. DESIGN: An 18-month prospective study. PATIENTS: A total of 109 conscious, spontaneously breathing patients who had been admitted to the ED for chest trauma or polytrauma. METHODS: All eligible patients underwent a standard anteroposterior supine chest radiograph (Rx) and a spiral CT lung scan within 1 h of ED admission. Lung US was carried out by an operator who was unaware of the other examination results, both for diagnosis and for the quantitative delimitation of the PTX. RESULTS: Twenty-five traumatic PTXs were detected in the 218 hemithoraxes (109 patients; 2 patients had a bilateral PTX) evaluated by spiral CT scan; of these, only 13 of 25 PTXs (52%) were revealed by chest Rx (sensitivity, 52%; specificity, 100%), while 23 of 25 PTXs (92%) were identified by lung US with one false-positive result (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 99.4%). In 20 of 25 cases, there was agreement on the extension of the PTX between CT lung scan and lung US with a mean difference of 1.9 cm (range, 0 to 4.5 cm) in the localization of retroparietal air extension; chest Rx was not able to give quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS: Lung US scans carried out in the ED detect occult PTX and its extension with an accuracy that is almost as high as the reference standard (CT scanning).     

Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous pleural effusion in 2006

Tuberculous (TB) pleural effusion occurs in approximately 5% of patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The HIV pandemic has been associated with a doubling of the incidence of extrapulmonary TB, which has resulted in increased recognition of TB pleural effusions even in developed nations. Recent studies have provided insights into the immunopathogenesis of pleural TB, including memory T-cell homing and chemokine activation. The definitive diagnosis of TB pleural effusions depends on the demonstration of acid-fast bacilli in the sputum, pleural fluid, or pleural biopsy specimens. The diagnosis can be established in a majority of patients from the clinical features, pleural fluid examination, including cytology, biochemistry, and bacteriology, and pleural biopsy. Measurement of adenosine deaminase and interferon-gamma in the pleural fluid and polymerase chain reaction for M tuberculosis has gained wide acceptance in the diagnosis of TB pleural effusions. Although promising, these tests require further evaluation before their routine use can be recommended. The treatment of TB pleural effusions in patients with HIV/AIDS is essentially similar to that in HIV-negative patients. At present, evidence regarding the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of TB pleural effusion is not clear-cut.     

Solid or partly solid solitary pulmonary nodules: their characterization using contrast wash-in and morphologic features at helical CT

BACKGROUND: Solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) evaluation based on analyses of combined wash-in (WI) and washout (WO) values obtained by helical dynamic CT (HDCT) scanning is useful for malignant SPN characterization, because this method has higher specificity and accuracy than that based on analyses of WI values only. However, increased specificity results in reduced sensitivity and the missing of malignant SPNs. Thus, the purpose of this study was to seek the most effective method for SPN characterization during HDCT scanning. METHODS: After obtaining unenhanced CT scans, dynamic CT scanning was performed using a helical technique (images were obtained at 30, 60, 90, and 120 s, and at 5 and 15 min after the initiation of IV contrast administration) in 486 patients with a solid or partly solid SPN. Diagnostic efficacies were compared for three approaches involving considerations of WI values (in Housfield units [HU]) only, both WI and WO HU values, and WI HU values and morphologic characteristics. RESULTS: Considering WI values only (> or = 25 HU), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for malignancy were 98% (233 of 237 nodules), 46% (114 of 249 nodules), and 71% (347 of 486 nodules), respectively. Using both a WI value of > or = 25 HU and a WO value of 5 to 36 HU, the corresponding values were 89% (212 of 237 nodules), 79% (197 of 249 nodules), and 84% (409 of 486 nodules), respectively; for a WI value of > or = 25 HU and a malignant morphology, the corresponding values were 92% (219 of 237 nodules), 79% (197 of 249 nodules), and 86% (416 of 486 nodules), respectively (these values were significantly different between the WI-only group and the other two groups; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of SPN evaluation based on analyses of WI values plus morphologic features during HDCT scanning appears to be equivalent to that based on analyses of WI plus WO values, thus obviating the need for WO scans, which saves time and reduces radiation exposure of the patient.     

Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath for peripheral pulmonary lesions without X-ray fluoroscopy

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) and bronchial brushing by endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) with a guide sheath (GS) as a guide for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) without radiographic fluoroscopy. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-one patients with 123 PPLs (mean diameter, 31.0 mm) whose bronchoscopic findings were normal. METHODS: An EBUS-GS was inserted and advanced to the PPL without fluoroscopy. Once we obtained the EBUS image, the probe was withdrawn and the GS was left in place. TBB and/or bronchial brushing were performed via the GS. When an EBUS image could not be obtained, we changed to the bronchoscopic examination under fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Seventy-six of 123 PPLs (61.8%) were diagnosed by EBUS-GS guidance without fluoroscopy. The diagnostic yield for PPLs > 20 mm in diameter (75.6%) was significantly higher than that for those 相似文献   

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.