A combination of smears and cell block preparations provides high diagnostic accuracy for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration has demonstrated its accuracy in the diagnostic workup of enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. In addition to conventional smears, the use of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and cell block preparations (CBP) has been introduced more recently. The aim of our study was to determine the performance of each of the different techniques, separately and combined, in terms of diagnostic yield and sensitivity. A total of 290 consecutive patients were included. The pathological examination was based on smear cytology, LBC, and CBP. Adequate sampling was defined by the presence of pathological material or lymphocytes. The global diagnostic yield was 82.7?% and the sensitivity was 89.1?%. The diagnostic yield was 72.8?% for smears, 78.8?% for LBC, and 69.9?% for CBP. The combination of smears with CBP significantly increased diagnostic yield (p?=?0.01) and sensitivity (p?=?0.006), but not the combination of smears with LBC (yield: p?=?0.07; sensitivity: p?=?0.13). The combination of the three techniques further increased yield (p?=?0.007) and sensitivity (p?=?0.006), compared with smears alone. CBP were more sensitive than smears for both diagnoses of carcinoma (p?=?0.01) and granulomatous inflammation (p?=?0.048). Conversely, LBC was less sensitive than smears for granulomatous inflammation (p?=?0.004), but the difference was not significant for carcinoma (p?=?0.42). CBP, as a complement to smears, increases diagnostic yield and sensitivity for both diagnoses of carcinoma and granulomatous inflammation. LBC, if used alone, increases the risk of a false-negative result.     

Nodal stations and diagnostic performances of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

There are no accurate data on the relationship between nodal station and diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). We evaluated the impact of nodal station and size on the diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Consecutive patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes for staging or diagnosis of NSCLC were included in this retrospective study. Between May 2009 and February 2010, EBUS-TBNA was performed in 373 mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in 151 patients. The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and negative predictive value (NPV) of EBUS-TBNA were 91.6%, 98.6%, 93.8%, and 84.3%, respectively. NPV of the left side nodal group was significantly lower than those of the other groups (P = 0.047) and sensitivity of the left side nodal group tended to decrease (P = 0.096) compared with those of the other groups. Diagnostic sensitivity and NPV of 4L lymph node were 83.3% and 66.7%, respectively. However, diagnostic performances of EBUS-TBNA did not differ according to nodal size. Bronchoscopists should consider the impact of nodal stations on diagnostic performances of EBUS-TBNA.     

Cytological diagnosis of sarcoidosis revisited: a state of the art review

Diagnosis of sarcoidosis has never been an easy task. This is primarily because there is no single diagnostic test that can clinch the diagnosis. Demonstration of granulomas remains an essential criteria, but as granulomatous inflammation can be seen in host of conditions, it is necessary to exclude all possible causes, as well as to correlate with other findings, before arriving at the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Cytology has been used effectively since the last few decades in demonstration of granulomas in various organs. Recent developments in various fields of cytodiagnosis of sarcoidosis including transesophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and endobronchial ultrasonograpy-guided transbronchial needle aspiration have revolutionized this field. These techniques are safe, minimally invasive, and give real-time information during aspiration. In comparision to the conventional methods, these allow easier sampling and have better sensitivity. In addition to these methods, a variety of ancillary techniques are also utilized and are reviewed here.     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy for diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with extrathoracic malignancy

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy associated with extrathoracic malignancy or a metastasis of unknown origin (MUO) requires pathological verification. Surgical exploration or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is limited to application. We investigated the effectiveness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy (EBUS-TBNA) for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with an extrathoracic malignancy. We retrospectively analyzed data from 59 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA with a core biopsy because of a suspected mediastinal metastasis between September 2008 and August 2010. All patients had previously been diagnosed with an extrathoracic malignancy (n = 39, 66.1%) or a suspected MUO without a thoracic lesion (n = 20, 33.9%). A total of 88 lymph nodes was analyzed. EBUS-TBNA findings indicated malignancies in 34 patients (57.6%). The EBUS-TBNA sensitivity and specificity for the detection of mediastinal malignancy in patients with a previous extrathoracic malignancy were 96.3% and 100%, respectively. For MUO patients without a thoracic lesion, the sensitivity and specificity were 61.5% and 100%, respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 81.0% and 100%, respectively (P = 0.053). EBUS-TBNA is a safe and effective modality for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with a previous extrathoracic malignancy or a MUO without a thoracic lesion. The application of this diagnostic tool is likely to have significant clinical implications.     

肺细针吸取微小组织学与细胞学检查诊断价值的探讨

目的探讨经皮细针肺肿块吸取细胞块和微小碎片组织学(简称微小切片)与涂片细胞学的诊断价值.方法对有组织学对比的187例经皮细针(7号) 肺部肿块吸取资料作微小切片组织学与涂片细胞学比较分析.结果 (1)微小切片组的诊断敏感性88.3%,特异性100%,总准确率89.5%;涂片组分别为87.7%、93.8%和88.8%;涂片结合微小切片则分别为91.6%、93.8%和92.0%.(2)微小切片组对恶性肿瘤的组织分型准确率93.3%(83/89),比涂片组的67.9%(91/134)高(P<0.01).对良性病变分类诊断准确率分别为86.4%(19/22)和 60.0%(18/30) (P<0.05).(3)66.3%的病例获取微小组织切片,其免疫组织化学染色结果与术后病理组织切片的相同.结论微小切片组织学和细胞学的诊断准确性均高,两者结合应用将提高诊断准确性,前者对组织分型、分类诊断接近术后病理诊断,有很高的应用价值.     

Transbronchial fine-needle aspiration. Reliability and limitations

Transbronchial needle aspiration is a new method of sampling pulmonary, paratracheal, and mediastinal masses. A total of 116 aspirations of the lung performed during a two-and-a-half-year period were reviewed. The results were compared with those of bronchial wash, bronchial brush, sputum, transbronchial forceps biopsy, and histologic material subsequently obtained during surgery or at autopsy. Clinical information was also reviewed. Transbronchial needle aspiration was performed on 104 patients, yielding 116 specimens. With the use of a combination of aspiration, wash, brush, sputum, and forceps biopsy, malignancy was detected in 48 patients. Open biopsy, mediastinoscopy, and transcutaneous needle aspiration increased the number of malignant neoplasms detected to 72. The tumors were detected in 67% of these 72 cases by a combination of all bronchoscopic methods. Transbronchial aspiration correctly identified 36% of malignant cases compared with 35% identified by wash, 39% by brush, 25% by sputum, and 59% by forceps biopsy. The overall accuracy of the techniques was 56% for aspiration, 48% for wash, 56% for brush, 35% for sputum, and 71% for forceps biopsy. Malignant cases were associated with cellular transbronchial aspirates, good preservation of cell detail, and a high degree of cytologic/histologic correlation regarding cell type. Transbronchial fine-needle aspiration has the potential for improving the diagnostic ability of bronchoscopy. However, the high incidence of false negative diagnoses is the main limitation for the technique, and the responsible factors are discussed.     

Cytological cell blocks: Predictors of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma subtypes

Fine needle aspirations biopsies, CT-guided and endobronchial ultrasound-guided, as a mode of diagnosing and/or staging lung carcinoma, are becoming more frequent. Also, there is greater necessity for classification of lung cancers into subcategories of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma for appropriate management. Cytomorphology, based on smears alone, allows this classification in many instances. The aim of the current study was to explore the potential of cell blocks to increase the specificity of diagnosis. The morphological characteristics of sixty-two lung carcinomas were examined. Less well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas were more readily classified as such on cell blocks. Likewise, cell block sections with architectural patterns including strips of cells, papillae and nests of cells correlated with bronchioalveolar, papillary and acinar/mixed subtypes of adenocarcinoma on follow-up histology. In conclusion, cell blocks provide additional morphological clues and material for ancillary studies for classification of lung carcinomas.     

The application and diagnostic utility of immunocytochemistry on direct smears in the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

The importance of subclassifying pulmonary nonsmall cell carcinoma (NSCLC) in cytologic material is becoming increasingly paramount. Occasionally, cell blocks traditionally used for ancillary studies are sparsely cellular or acellular. Hence, we investigated the diagnostic utility of immunocytochemistry for Napsin-A, TTF-1, and p63 on direct smears of NSCLC. Immunohistochemistry for Napsin-A was initially tested on a tissue microarray (TMA) composed of pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Subsequently, in 25 cases, immunocytochemistry for Napsin-A, TTF-1, and p63 was performed on cytologic direct smears. Smears were prepared from tumor cells scraped from lung resection specimens (n = 10), endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial fine-needle aspirates (n = 13), and pelleted cell material from pleural effusions (n = 2). Immunohistochemistry utilizing the TMA revealed Napsin-A positivity in 73% of pulmonary ADCs. Next, immunocytochemistry on direct cytologic smears demonstrated a Napsin-A(+)/TTF-1(+) immunophenotype in 15 of 18 adenocarcinomas; p63 was completely negative (n = 12) or only focally positive (n = 3) in these 15 adenocarcinomas. The remaining three adenocarcinomas were negative for all three markers. All six squamous cell carcinomas were Napsin-A(-)/TTF-1(-) and diffusely p63(+). In conclusion, direct smears represent a feasible and robust source of cellular material for immunocytochemical studies to diagnose pulmonary ADC and SQC. Our method allows the cytologist to confirm on site that material for diagnostic immunocytochemistry is present thereby serving as a safeguard in instances where the cell block is of insufficient cellularity.     

细胞病理学在经支气管镜超声引导针吸活检术中的作用

目的 探讨细胞病理学检查在经支气管镜超声引导针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)诊断中的作用及用于表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)基因突变分析的可行性.方法 回顾性分析复旦大学附属肿瘤医院2009年4月至2010年9月行EBUS-TBNA的连续病例200例,可取得细胞块的部分标本进行免疫组织化学染色(EnVision法),22例阳性病例还用细胞学标本进行EGFR基因突变分析.结果 200例中140例有组织学对照.细胞学诊断标本不充足24例(12.0％,24/200).良性病变42例(23.9％,42/176),可疑12例(6.8％,12/176),恶性肿瘤122例(69.3％,122/176).与组织学及临床共同诊断对照,细胞学的敏感度94.4％,特异度100％.细胞块及免疫酶标对准确分型及胸腔外转移性肿瘤的诊断有帮助.细胞学标本检测EGFR突变率36.4％ (8/22).结论 EBUS-TBNA细胞学是一种诊断肺癌及其纵隔淋巴结转移的准确、敏感和特异的方法.EBUS-TBNA细胞学标本是进行分子病理学检测的重要材料.     

Utility of the thromboplastin‐plasma cell‐block technique for fine‐needle aspiration and serous effusions

(I) To assess the feasibility of thromboplastin‐plasma (TP) method for cell block, (II) to concentrate the minimal cellular material from effusions and needle‐rinses by block preparation and improve visual details, (III) to compare conventional cytological smears with cell blocks for final assessment, and (IV) to assess utility of immunocytochemistry (ICC) for diagnostic accuracy. Seventy cell blocks were prepared by TP technique using surplus fluid from 38 serous effusions, and for 32 ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) material, rinses of syringes and needles were collected in normal saline after conventional cytological smears. Then, cell blocks were compared with conventional smears for adequacy, morphologic preservation, and ICC. Absolute concordance seen in 66 cases (94%) between the smears and cell blocks. Advantages with the blocks were cellular concentration in a limited field and better cellular preservation with architectural pattern. Quality of ICC was comparable to that of standard controls. Diagnostic discrepancy was seen in two cases where cell blocks were positive but smears were negative. Two cell blocks were nonrepresentative. Cell block serves as a useful adjunct to traditional cytological smears. TP method is simple, cost effective, and reproducible. It is easy when compared with agar‐embedding technique. Ancillary techniques like ICC can be performed successfully. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

?Rapid on-site evaluation“ (ROSE) in der zytologischen Diagnostik von Lungen- und Mediastinalerkrankungen

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become an important tool in the diagnosis and staging of malignant tumors of the lungs and mediastinum. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) denotes a cytomorphological diagnostic procedure that allows assessment of the adequacy and accuracy of the material obtained during bronchoscopy within a few minutes in or near the bronchoscopy suite (on-site) using a quick staining of smears. This results in a significant decrease in the number of repeated bronchoscopy procedures required to recover an adequate biopsy sample and is therefore both time and cost effective. The obtained material can be further assessed as conventional cytological specimens or alternatively using the thin-prep technique for definitive cytopathology diagnosis and/or embedded in paraffin for immunohistochemical or molecular analyses such as DNA sequencing or flow cytometry.     

Mediastinal Malignant Lymphoma Difficult to Diagnose: A Patient Report

We report a 58-year-old man who suffered from shortness of breath on exertion with wheezing. A chest enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed an irregular tumor in the middle mediastinum involving the right main pulmonary artery, vena cava superior and right main bronchus. Transbronchial lung biopsy and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration yielded no evidence for a pathological diagnosis of malignancy. We employed mediastinoscopy, which led to a diagnosis of lymphoid reactive change. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan revealed a high FDG uptake in the tumor lesion. Because the CT scan and FDG-PET findings led to a marked suspicion of malignancy, we decided to attempt biopsy by a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach. Flow cytometry showed a monoclonal pattern, and the final diagnosis was mediastinal follicular lymphoma both pathologically and immunohistologically. The patient achieved a complete remission by following chemotherapy. Low-grade malignancy type of lymphoma such as follicular lymphoma that generally contains small-cell components often presents a diagnostic challenge and the VATS approach was effective for the diagnosis of such type of mediastinal lymphoma.     

Fine-needle aspiration: Comparison of smear,cytospin, and cell block preparations in diagnostic and cost effectiveness

We compared the results of smears to those of cytospin and cell block preparations from fine-needle aspirations to determine the cost effectiveness of each and to determine which should be routinely obtained. We reviewed 844 cases, 361 of which had both smears and cytospins, and 483 of which had both smears and cell blocks. Smears alone were diagnostic in 94% of cases (796/844 cases), cytospins alone diagnostic in 43% of cases (154/361 cases), and cell blocks alone diagnostic in 57% of cases (277/483 cases). Cytospins contributed additional information beyond that obtained from smears in 2% (7/361) and cell blocks in 12% (57/483) of cases. When smears were nondiagnostic, cytospins contributed additional information in 10% (2/21) of cases and cell blocks contributed additional information in 44% (12/27) of cases. The cost of providing a diagnosis from smear alone is $212, from cytospin alone is $352, and from cell block alone is $392. The cost for additional information established by cytospin is $7,736 and by cell block the cost is $1,906. Smears are superior to either cytospins or cell blocks in providing a diagnosis. It is not cost-effective to obtain either cytospins or cell blocks in addition to smears on all cases. However, it is cost-effective to obtain cell blocks when the immediate smear evaluation is nondiagnostic. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;19:70–74. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Unusual presentation of poorly differentiated primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma (PD‐PPSS) diagnosed by EBUS‐TBNA with cytogenetic confirmation—A diagnostic challenge

Poorly differentiated primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma (PD‐PPSS) is a rare, aggressive neoplasm, which occurs in 0.5% cases of all lung malignancies. The diagnosis of PD‐PPSS can be very challenging on cytology samples. We present here an unusual case of PD‐PPSS diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA), in the setting of known history of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. Diff‐Quik and Papanicolaou stains showed cellular specimen with clusters of highly atypical small round blue cells admixed with lymphoid elements; and some with denuded cytoplasm. Cell block further showed molding, crush artifact and atypical mitotic figures. A differential diagnosis based on extended immunohistochemical work‐up was Ewing?s sarcoma/PNET versus poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma. Fluorescent in‐situ hybridization (FISH) showed SYT gene rearrangement at 18q11.2. In this report, we describe the cytomorphological features, diagnostic pitfalls, challenges, potential mimics, and importance of acquisition of adequate material for the ancillary work‐up on the cell block.     

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal metastases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with a previous diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is critical for the determination of further treatment. A minimally invasive method of cytology sampling of mediastinal lymph nodes using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a useful tool in diagnosis. Between January 2010 and April 2018, we performed 1744 EBUS-TBNA studies of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes for a variety of clinical indications including mediastinal malignancy. Sixteen patients (93.7% males, mean age 59.1 years, range 44–81 years) were diagnosed by cytological and cell block study to have metastatic clear cell RCC. Twelve patients had been diagnosed with clear cell RCC in the past (mean 39 months, range 4–89 months) while in four, the tumor was primarily diagnosed in the staging phase on the basis of EBUS-TBNA. The EBUS features of the mediastinal nodal masses included increase of size (mean 2.5?cm, range 1.6–3.8?cm), irregular, inhomogeneous, hypervascular, and hyperechoic echotexture. EBUS-TBNA is a procedure safe and effective for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with clear cell RCC. Immunohistochemistry in the cell block is decisive for proper diagnosis. The cytologist plays a key role in the diagnosis of metastatic clear cell RCC due to the treatment implications that this neoplasm encompasses.     

Liquid-based cytological test of samples obtained by catheter aspiration is applicable for the bronchoscopic confirmation of pulmonary malignant tumors

The aim of the present study is to confirm the value of electronic bronchoscopy-aided catheter aspiration technique with liquid-based cytological test in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. A total of 815 patients of lung cancer were evaluated by bronchoscopy between February 2011 and June 2012. Catheter aspiration technique and forceps biopsy during bronchoscopy were employed to obtain adequate tissue specimens. Liquid-based cytological test and conventional smears for catheter aspiration were used for cytological detection of the tumors. For all cytological specimens, slide preparations with LCT and CS were reviewed by two senior pathologists, who were blinded to patient medical history. Complications related to electronic bronchoscopy, such as bleeding, were clinically judged as light, moderate or severe by the needs for clinical interventions. The diagnostic yield of catheter aspiration in endobronchial visible lesions (tumor, infiltrative and necrotic lesions) was 94.6% (success rates concerning malignancy), which was slightly higher than that of the forceps biopsy (91.4%, P < 0.05). The diagnostic yield of catheter aspiration in endobronchial invisible lesions (normal, compressive and nonspecific lesions) was 82.8%, which was significantly higher than that of the forceps biopsy (51.4%, P < 0.01). The combination of the forceps biopsy with the cytological analysis of the catheter aspiration increased the diagnostic sensitivity in both lesion types (P < 0.05). For catheter aspiration, the positive rate of lung cancer by liquid-based cytological test was superior to that by conventional smears (P < 0.05). The catheter aspiration is a sampling technique that produces higher diagnostic rate for lung cancers compared with forceps biopsy. Liquid-based cytological test is routinely applicable for the diagnosis of lung cancer using samples collected through electronic bronchoscopy.     

Clinical Value of Endobronchial Ultrasound Findings for Predicting Nodal Metastasis in Patients with Suspected Lymphadenopathy: A Prospective Study

We evaluated whether sonographic findings can provide additional diagnostic yield in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), and can more accurately predict nodal metastasis than chest computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans. EBUS-TBNA was performed in 146 prospectively recruited patients with suspected thoracic lymph node involvement on chest CT and PET/CT from June 2012 to January 2013. Diagnostic yields of EBUS finding categories as a prediction model for metastasis were evaluated and compared with findings of chest CT, PET/CT, and EBUS-TBNA. In total, 172 lymph nodes were included in the analysis: of them, 120 were malignant and 52 were benign. The following four EBUS findings were predictive of metastasis: nodal size ≥10 mm, round shape, heterogeneous echogenicity, and absence of central hilar structure. A single EBUS finding did not have sufficient diagnostic yield; however, when the lymph node had any one of the predictive factors on EBUS, the diagnostic yields for metastasis were higher than for chest CT and PET/CT, with a sensitivity of 99.1% and negative predictive value of 83.3%. When any one of predictive factors is observed on EBUS, subsequent TBNA should be considered, which may provide a higher diagnostic yield than chest CT or PET/CT.

Graphical Abstract

相似文献   

Hepatic angiomyolipoma: report of two cases with emphasis on smear cytomorphology and the use of cell block with immunohistochemical stains

Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal lesion that occurs most commonly in the kidney. Its occurrence in the liver is relatively rare. We report two cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma diagnosed by ultrasound-guided, needle aspiration biopsy. One of the patients was a previously healthy 62-yr-old woman who presented with a hepatic mass incidentally during a healthy examination. The other patient was a 67-yr-old man, a victim of chronic hepatitis C, who was found to have a hepatic tumor in the right lobe during regular follow-up. Cytologic preparations of the two hepatic masses showed some mature adipocytes admixed with clusters of variable-sized mesenchyme-like cells with fibrillar cytoplasm and indistinct cytoplasmic borders. Some of the cells were round to oval and others were spindle shaped with oval, cigar-shaped or elongated nuclei. The nuclear chromatin was fine and some cells showed round nucleoli. No thick-walled blood vessels were noted in the cytological smears. In the cell block preparations, a mixture of thick-walled blood vessels, mature adipose tissue, and bundles of variable-sized smooth muscle cells were noted. The spindle or epithelioid smooth muscle cells were positive for vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and human melanoma black (HMB)-45 but negative for desmin and S100 protein in immunohistochemical stains. The purpose of the current study is to describe cytological features of this lesion with differential diagnosis because pathologists may be called on to render a diagnosis on needle aspiration. HMB-45 has been proved to be a sensitive marker for the smooth muscle component of angiomyolipoma. Cell block preparations assisted with immunohistochemical staining should be emphasized for definite diagnosis. Although a surgical procedure may still be necessary once a diagnosis of angiomyolipoma is made, treatment may be tailored for a less aggressive procedure than for malignant hepatic nodules.     

Evaluation of leprosy lesions by skin smear cytology in comparison to histopathology

Cytological evaluation of leprosy skin lesion was done to evaluate cytohistological correlation. Twenty five clinically suspected patients of leprosy were evaluated by performing fine needle aspiration (FNA) in nodular lesions and slit skin smear technique in flat lesions to classify across R-J scale. May-Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG) and Ziehl-Neelsen stain were employed on slit skin smears and fine needle aspiration material. Histopathological assessment of slides from same lesion was done. The overall diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration was 76.1% and that of slit skin smear 50%. However, on adequate material diagnostic accuracy of slit skin smear was high, 100% as compared to 81.8% of fine needle aspiration smears. In cases of polar leprosy cytological findings paralleled histopathological diagnosis. Within the constraints of cytological interpretation the cases in borderline unstable spectrum of leprosy can be classified broadly.     

Usefulness of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis

Purpose

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an accurate and minimally invasive technique used routinely for investigation of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. However, few studies have addressed its role in comparison to the traditional diagnostic approaches of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), endobronchial biopsy (EBB), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. We evaluated the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis compared to TBLB, EBB, and BAL.

Materials and Methods

Consecutive patients with suspected sarcoidosis (stage I and II) on chest radiography and chest computed tomography were included. All 33 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA, TBLB, EBB, and BAL during the same session between July 2009 and June 2011. EBUS-TBNA was performed at 71 lymph node stations.

Results

Twenty-nine of 33 patients, were diagnosed with histologically proven sarcoidosis; two patients were compatible with a clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis during follow-up; and two patients were diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma and reactive lymphadenopathy, respectively. Among 29 patients with histologically proven sarcoidosis in combination with EBUS-TBNA, TBLB, and EBB, only EBUS-TBNA and TBLB revealed noncaseating granuloma in 18 patients and one patient, respectively. The overall diagnostic sensitivities of EBUS-TBNA, TBLB, EBB, and BAL (CD4/CD8 ≥3.5) were 90%, 35%, 6%, and 71%, respectively (p<0.001). The combined diagnostic sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA, TBLB, and EBB was 94%.

Conclusion

EBUS-TBNA was the most sensitive method for diagnosing stage I and II sarcoidosis compared with conventional bronchoscopic procedures. EBUS-TBNA should be considered first for the histopathologic diagnosis of stage I and II sarcoidosis.