Diagnostic accuracy in lung cancer; comparison of techniques used in association with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy

Scottish national bronchoscopy audit: a prospective multicentre study of 3316 cases against agreed standards. Scottish Thoracic Society

INTRODUCTION

Bronchoscopy guidelines address issues of patient and operator safety but do not give guidance on the expected yield of the procedure. Realistic standards for several outcome measures of bronchoscopy for investigating bronchial carcinoma have been derived by Scottish clinicians from a published national study. The present study describes the use of these agreed standards in prospective audit.

METHODS

All Society members in Scotland (population 5.1 million) were invited to participate. Data were collected for 1 year and coded anonymously.

STANDARDS

1. Supervising bronchoscopist to have completed at least 100 procedures; 2. histology to be positive in 80% of cases where tumour seen; 3. 35%-55% of bronchoscopies to reveal a diagnosis; 4. 60% of patients admitted for bronchoscopy to be day cases; 5. 80% of day case patients to be in hospital for less than 6 h; 6. 90% of male patients and 80% of female patients willing to have repeat bronchoscopy.

RESULTS

Three thousand, three hundred and sixteen bronchoscopies were performed by 45 senior pulmonologists at 22 centres. One centre reached all the standards and five centres met five standards. There was wide national variation in histological spectrum, incidence of small cell cancer ranged from 12% to 25% between centres. Participants found their own data helpful in identifying local areas for improvement.

CONCLUSION

Bronchcoscopy standards set locally by practising pulmonologists can be used in collaborative audit to identify areas for improving practice. Variation in histology may be accounted for by case-mix or pathology techniques.

Diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate factors affecting the diagnostic yield of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs).

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of bronchoscopies performed over a 4-year period.

SETTING

A tertiary teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

One hundred seventy-seven patients with pulmonary nodules without endobronchial lesions who underwent bronchoscopy with brushing, washing, and transbronchial biopsy.

RESULTS

There were 151 malignant and 26 benign lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy in malignant and benign lesions were 64% (97 of 151) and 35% (9 of 26), respectively. The yield of bronchoscopy was directly related to lesion size (p < 0.001, chi(2)). When lesions were grouped according to distance from the hilum, yields of bronchoscopy in central, intermediate, and peripherally located lesions were 82, 61, and 53%, respectively (p = 0.05, chi(2)). When we stratified distance from the hilum by lesion size, the difference in yield was not significant. However, lesions </= 2 cm had a diagnostic yield of 14% (2 of 14) when located in the peripheral third vs 31% (5 of 16) when located in the inner two thirds of the lung. There was a trend toward higher combined diagnostic yield in right middle and lingular lobes when compared to all other segments (p = 0.09, chi(2)). Transbronchial biopsy, washing, and brushing were complementary in improving the yield of bronchoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Size is the strongest determinant of diagnostic yield in bronchoscopy when evaluating SPNs. The yield of bronchoscopy is particularly low in lesions </= 2 cm that are located in the outer third of the lung. Thus, alternative diagnostic approaches may be preferable in this situation.

Utility of transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of endobronchial lesions

BACKGROUND

The utility of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in visible endobronchial lesions presenting as either an exophytic mass lesion (EML) or submucosal and peribronchial disease (SPD) is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the yield of conventional diagnostic procedures (CDP) (bronchial washing, bronchial brushing, and endobronchial forceps biopsy) with that obtained from a combination of CDP and TBNA (CDP + TBNA).

DESIGN

Prospective study of 55 patients.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral hospital.

RESULTS

Of the 55 patients in whom malignancy was confirmed, CDP + TBNA identified 53 (96%) vs 42 (76%) identified by CDP (p = 0.001). The highest yield from any individual procedure was obtained by TBNA. Of the 23 patients with SPD, 22 (96%) were diagnosed using CDP + TBNA compared with 15 (65%) by CDP (p = 0.016); the yield from TBNA alone (22 of 23) in this group surpassed the combined yield from all other procedures. Although no statistically significant difference in yield was observed for EML, the use of TBNA identified four additional patients compared with CDP.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the addition of TBNA to CDP increases diagnostic yield in patients with visible endobronchial lesions.

Role of bronchoscopy in AIDS

The differential diagnosis of pulmonary disorders in the HIV-infected individual is broad. Clinical features and chest radiographs may point towards a diagnosis but cannot reliably establish one. It is important to know the conditions in which bronchoscopy, BAL, and TBB are likely to be diagnostic, just as it is to know when other invasive or noninvasive procedures may be more useful. Finally, the incidence of transmission of infections such as tuberculosis during bronchoscopy and cross-contamination of patients with an improperly sterilized bronchoscope, cannot be overemphasized.

Transbronchial needle aspiration. An underused diagnostic technique

Despite its proven usefulness, TBNA is not widely used. An American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) survey showed that only 11.8% of pulmonologists use TBNA. Most pulmonologists in the 1980s were not formally trained in TBNA. This lack of training has unfortunately translated to minimal emphasis on TBNA in current training programs in a large number of institutions. Technical problems with the procedure (faulty site selection, incomplete needle penetration, catheter kinking that prevents adequate suction, etc.), the confusing array of needles, low diagnostic yields, unproven concerns regarding the safety of the procedure, inadequate cytopathology support, and bronchoscopic damage have all perpetuated the image of limited usefulness for this procedure. Limitations to the practice of TBNA are: Lack of training during fellowship Technical inadequacies Lack of cytopathologists trained in TBNA interpretation Fear of bronchoscope damage Safety issues Failure to reproduce published successes Reservations regarding usefulness of TBNA results Hands-on experience with TBNA, developing familiarity and expertise with only a few needles, and paying careful attention to anatomy, procedure techniques, and specimen acquisition may all help to increase yield. The following lists how better results can be obtained with TBNA: Preprocedure Review TBNA instruction tapes Attend hands-on courses Practice with lung models Review patient's CAT scans Familiarize with one-two cytology and histology needle Obtain a trained assistant Procedural Identify target site Needle to airway angle at least greater than 45 degrees Insert entire length of the needle Use scope channel to support the catheter Release suction before withdrawing needle (for staging) Specimen acquisition Avoid delay in preparing slides Adequate sampling (at least two) Use smear method for cytology specimen Analyze all samples flush solutions cell block Postprocedure Find an experienced cytopathologist Review your procedure (by watching video) Review pathology slides Acquisition of skills with cytology needles should precede the use of the histology needle. Increasing education and experience can also increase diagnostic yields. Transbronchial needle aspiration has been proven to be accurate in staging lung cancers, identifying inoperable carcinomas, and diagnosing a variety of lung diseases. Few complications have been encountered and the technique is less invasive and less costly than surgical procedures. Drawing on evidence from published literature, we suggest the following guidelines for TBNA: All patients presenting with mediastinal or hilar adenopathy or both, should have 22-ga and/or 19-ga TBNA as the initial procedure. These procedures would help diagnose malignant and nonmalignant diseases, and stage lung cancers. All patients with evidence of submucosal and peribronchial disease should have 22-ga needle cytology sampling. In patients with visible endobronchial disease, 22-ga TBNA should be optional. In the presence of a necrotic or a hemorrhagic tumor, or in a patient with a bleeding diathesis, TBNA would be helpful. In all patients with Type III and IV peripheral nodules, TBNA should be the initial diagnostic procedure. There remains no doubt about the diagnostic usefulness of TBNA. Guidelines must be developed to ensure that pulmonary fellows are adequately trained in this procedure. Regional workshops with hands-on experience targeted to practicing pulmonologists organized by the ACCP would help popularize the procedure. Initial low yields should not discourage pulmonologists from using the procedure. Collaboration between thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and pulmonary physicians is essential to set up TBNA programs within institutions. With time, as more and more pulmonologists attain expertise in TBNA, the full potential of this nonsurgical, cost-effective, and safe procedure will be realized.

CT bronchoscopy

CT bronchoscopy with volumetric rendering can play a significant role in patients with mediastinal/hilar tumor and lymphadenopathy. By localizing (tagging) tumor foci on the axial images, volumetric rendering allows the tumors to be seen through normal-appearing mucosa. Such images can guide the bronchoscopist in finding the ideal site to biopsy and allow the bronchoscopist to become more aggressive in the biopsy of more difficulty positioned lesions. In addition, delineation of normal extraluminal vessels and other vital anatomical structures potentially decreases biopsy complications. Although further research is needed to prove the value of CT bronchoscopy, preliminary work performed to date by the author and others indicates great promise.

The Scottish multi-centre prospective study of bronchoscopy for bronchial carcinoma and suggested audit standards

Fibre-optic bronchoscopy is widely used to diagnose bronchial carcinoma. There is considerable variation in techniques for patient sedation, methods of obtaining samples and histopathological yield. We wished to examine variations in practice in different centres throughout Scotland and derive realistic audit standards for best clinical practice from these results. Diagnostic bronchoscopies from five centres were included. Patient details, grade of individual performing the test, endobronchial abnormalities, specimens taken and the histocytological yield were recorded. A patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed. One thousand eight hundred and two bronchoscopies were performed to look for bronchial carcinoma. Sedation and anaesthesia techniques varied considerably between centres. There were marked differences in patient satisfaction between centres. Nearly twice as many females as males would prefer not to have bronchoscopy repeated. Six hundred and fifty-eight carcinomas were confirmed by histocytology. Yield was unaffected by the grade of doctor performing bronchoscopy. Improving yield may be achieved by increasing the number of sampling techniques employed and changing the order in which specimens are taken (biopsies first and washings last). Eighty-seven percent of endoscopically visible tumours were confirmed histocytologically. There was a considerable variation in histological spectra between centres that may relate to differences in pathological interpretation rather than actual differences in case mix. Suggested audit standards are discussed. This study demonstrates the variety of techniques and also the levels of histocytological yield and patient satisfaction that can be achieved. Provisional standards of practice for this procedure have been agreed with a view to auditing performance against these. It is hoped that centres will adopt the methods that are shown to achieve the highest standards.

[Factors related to diagnostic reliability of bronchial biopsy in primary bronchogenic carcinoma]

To analyze the diagnostic reliability of bronchial biopsy (BB) in bronchogenic carcinoma and the impact of several factors, among them patient symptoms and condition, tumor characteristics and the endoscopist's and pathologist's experience. One hundred eighty-four BB from 151 patients diagnosed of bronchogenic carcinoma in our hospital in the years 1993 and 1994 were reviewed. We first performed single variable analysis, and later logistical regression analysis taking BB positivity or negativity as the dependent variable. The independent variables were age, tumor stage, histological type, lesion necrosis, number of biopsy fragments collected, size of the largest fragment, the endoscopist who performed the BB and the pathologist who studied the specimen. The diagnosis sensitivity of BB was 69.6%. The variables that significantly influenced diagnostic accuracy, in both the single variable and multiple factorial analyses, were clinical status (p < 0.0004) and necrosis (p < 0.0057) with odds ratios of 4.6088 and 0.3766, respectively. The patient's clinical status and the presence or absence of necrosis are the factors that most influence diagnostic accuracy in BB for bronchogenic carcinoma. The likelihood of obtaining a diagnosis is 4.6 greater when clinical status is severe, and 2.7 times greater in the absence of necrosis. The experience of the bronchoscopist, after a learning period, and of the examining pathologist, do not appear to have a decisive effect on diagnostic reliability in this technique.

Cost-effectiveness of collecting routine cytologic specimens during fiberoptic bronchoscopy for endoscopically visible lung tumor

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is the most common modality used to diagnose endobronchial carcinoma. Collection of brushing and washing specimens for cytology is common during bronchoscopy for endobronchial abnormality, but it is unknown if collection of these specimens is cost-effective.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of a computerized database with cost-effectiveness analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary care medical center.

PATIENTS

Two hundred one patients undergoing bronchoscopy for endobronchial lung tumor.

INTERVENTION

All patients in the study underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy that included forceps biopsies, washings, and brushings. In addition to analyzing the sensitivity of forceps-biopsy, washings, and brushings at diagnosing malignancy, we analyzed the cost-effectiveness of three potential specimen collection strategies. These strategies were (1) collection of both washings and brushings in addition to forceps biopsy specimen, (2) collection of either washings or brushings in addition to forceps biopsy specimen, and (3) collection of forceps biopsy specimen only.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The sensitivity of bronchoscopy, including biopsy, washing, and brushing is 85.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 80.1 to 90.5%). The sensitivity of forceps biopsy is 80.8% (95% CI, 75.0 to 86.6%). The addition of washings and brushings increases the sensitivity of bronchoscopy from 80.8 to 85.3% (McNemar's p = 0.01). Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals that forceps biopsy plus washing or brushing has a marginal cost-effectiveness ratio of $308 per reduced-quality day avoided compared with forceps alone. Adding an additional cytology specimen has a marginal cost-effectiveness ratio of $5,500 per reduced-quality day avoided.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a modest but definite increase in the sensitivity of bronchoscopy in diagnosing endobronchial cancer with the addition of washings and brushings for cytology. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals that collection of either washings or brushings is probably the best strategy.

Multiple brushings with immediate Riu's stain via flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy without fluoroscopic guidance in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary tumours

BACKGROUND

Accurate diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions usually relies on fluoroscopic guided procedures. As fluoroscopy is not routinely available in many respiratory units, an approach not using fluoroscopy but with a high diagnostic yield is highly desirable.

METHODS

Immediate cytological examination of multiple brushings using Riu's stain, a modified Wright's stain, was performed in 38 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions not visible at bronchoscopy. The results were compared with the final diagnoses determined by histological examination or subsequent Papanicolaou staining of cytological specimens and clinical course.

RESULTS

Of the 38 patients 29 were subsequently confirmed to have a malignant tumour. Our method provided a diagnosis of malignancy in 86% of these lesions. The accuracy (91%) and sensitivity (88%) were higher for lesions > 3 cm in diameter than for those of diameter < or = 3 cm (87% and 83%). There were no false positive results. The 29 lesions correctly diagnosed as malignant by Riu's stain required significantly fewer brushings (mean (SD) 3 (2)) than the nine benign lesions (5 (4)).

CONCLUSIONS

This technique provides a high diagnostic yield, avoids the need for fluoroscopy, and is probably safer than percutaneous biopsy.

Interbronchoscopist variability in the diagnosis of lung cancer by flexible bronchoscopy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the interbronchoscopist variability in the diagnosis of lung cancer by flexible bronchoscopy.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A retrospective review of the bronchoscopic records and clinical charts of patients at a university-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

All records of flexible bronchoscopic procedures performed for the diagnosis of lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed, and procedures that obtained histologic or cytologic evidence of malignancy were considered positive. Rates of positivity were compared according to the following factors: operator, operator experience, bronchoscopic findings, tumor location, and tumor laterality. Factors that affected the positivity rate were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 384 bronchoscopic procedures performed in 353 patients, 275 (72 percent) were positive. The positivity rate differed significantly depending on the operator (p = 0.003) and the bronchoscopic findings (p < 0.001). A difference between operators was noted in technically difficult cases without epithelial or subepithelial findings and when tumors were located in the upper lobe or the superior segment of the lower lobe. The bronchoscopic findings and the operator also emerged as factors significantly affecting the positivity rate in the logistic analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy for lung cancer is dependent on both the type of bronchial lesion present and the bronchoscopist.

Diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage in peripheral lung cancer

A prospective study has been performed to assess the value of the addition of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to the routine bronchoscopic exploration with bronchial washing (BW) and postbronchoscopy sputum (PBS) procedures in the diagnosis of peripheral primary lung cancer not visible through bronchoscope when fluoroscopic guidance is not available. BW, BAL, and PBS were performed in 67 patients with suspected primary lung cancer by peripheral lung lesion on chest radiograph (39 nodules and 28 infiltrates) and nonendoscopically visible lesion. The sequence of procedures was in all cases BW, BAL, and post-bronchoalveolar lavage bronchoaspirate (PBBA). An attempt was made to collect early morning postbronchoscopy samples of sputum (PBS) on 3 consecutive days. BW and PBBA were collected in the same test tube, and the cytologic result was considered as BW diagnostic yield. If there were negative bronchoscopic results, either percutaneous fine-needle aspiration or open-lung biopsy were performed for diagnosis. Fifty-five patients were found to have malignant disease (23 adenocarcinomas, 22 squamous cell carcinomas, six small cell carcinomas, and four bronchioloalveolar cell carcinomas). BAL was positive in 18 of the 55 (33%) carcinomas, and it gave the only positive result in six (11%). BW was also positive in 18 of the 55 (33%), but it gave positive results in only 3 (5%). PBS was positive in 13 of the 43 (30%) patients from whom samples could be spontaneously obtained and were suitable for cytologic examination (not consisting of saliva), and gave the only positive result in three (7%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

How much brushing is enough for the diagnosis of lung tumors?

BACKGROUND

Bronchoscopic investigations of lung tumors require high diagnostic accuracy. Sometimes the combination of brush biopsy with cytologic and histologic examination of forceps-obtained biopsy specimens fails to diagnose tumors. Techniques with a minimum risk and low cost when repeated several times could increase the efficiency of tumor diagnosis and help to avoid rebronchoscopy.

METHODS

Repeated brush biopsies were done during one bronchoscopic examination in 270 patients with pulmonary neoplasias using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope guided by radiographic video fluoroscopy. The results of up to five brush biopsies were compared for their diagnostic sensitivity.

RESULTS

Singly, 68-77% of the specimens showed malignant findings. With repeated brushing, the sensitivity of the diagnostic accuracy increased to 89.6%. In the periphery of the bronchial tree, the sensitivity of brush biopsy was slightly lower in bronchoscopically invisible tumors. In 222 of 242 (91.7%) patients with positive results of brush biopsy, there was agreement in the final typing of tumor morphology.

CONCLUSION

For routine bronchoscopy, repeated brush biopsy should be done to obtain the highest diagnostic yield.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of peripheral, primary lung cancer

Numerous case reports have shown the advantage of using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in cytologic diagnosis of primary and secondary malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of BAL in the diagnosis of peripheral, primary lung cancer. Of 1,864 patients referred to the Bronchological Department for endoscopic examination, 145 patients were studied: six with large cell lung cancer, 22 with adenocarcinoma, 15 with alveolar cell lung cancer, 40 with small cell lung cancer, and 62 with squamous cell lung cancer. In 94 patients (64.8 percent), BAL was diagnostic, revealing malignant cells. In 52 (35.9 percent) of these patients, the cytologic diagnosis agreed with the final pathologic diagnosis of the resected tumor. The result of BAL was affected by the type of cancer and size of the tumor. Highest yields were seen in adenocarcinoma (59.2 percent) and alveolar cell lung cancer (80 percent). The average size of the tumor in the group with correct cell typing was 4.9 +/- 1.8 cm; in patients with nondiagnostic BAL, the average size was 2.6 +/- 1.2 cm. BAL provided the highest (statistically significant, p less than 0.05) diagnostic yield (64.8 percent) in comparison with other sampling techniques: brush biopsy (29.8 percent), catheter biopsy (26.8 percent), and forceps biopsy (32.7 percent). The diagnostic yield of BAL and transbronchial fine needle aspiration biopsy (58.3 percent) did not significantly differ. BAL proved to be a valuable diagnostic tool in detecting peripheral, primary, pulmonary malignant neoplasms.

Diagnostic correlation of fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy and bronchoscopic cytology performed simultaneously

The reliability of bronchoscopic cytology relative to biopsy is controversial. Some still consider biopsy the definitive procedure. Comparative studies are few and limited in scope. Therefore, we compared simultaneously obtained biopsies and cytologies for 224 cases. One hundred and sixty-six cases (74.6%) correlated completely. Forty-four cases (19.6%) did not correlate and cytology was diagnostic in 24 of these. Biopsy was diagnostic in sarcoidosis and vasculitis, whereas cytology only excluded the presence of neoplasm or infection. In 14 cases (5.8%), biopsy and cytology showed pathologic changes, but one or the other was more definitive. Rarely, the 2 techniques provided complementary information. A specific diagnosis was obtained more often from the combination of cytology and biopsy than from either alone. However, when biopsy is contraindicated it is reassuring that cytology usually yields the same information as biopsy, and can detect neoplastic and infectious diseases when the biopsy is non-diagnostic.

Accuracy of bronchial aspiration cytology in typing operable (stage I-II) pulmonary carcinomas

The accuracy of bronchial aspiration cytology in typing resectable (stage I-II) lung cancer has been investigated in 100 cases, comparing preoperative cytologic features with pulmonary tumor histology seen at surgery. The accuracy has been 100% for small-cell carcinoma (two cases), 98.8% for squamous-cell carcinoma (86 cases), and 91.6% for adenocarcinoma (12 cases). The overall accuracy rate has been 98%. No case of undifferentiated large-cell carcinoma has been identified. It is suggested that the high accuracy in cytologic typing of operable lung cancer is basically related to adequate preservation of differentiation features, thus allowing for correct identification of most non-small-cell carcinoma. Moreover, the absence in this study of any large-cell carcinoma, compared with its frequency in advanced stage series, would indicate that such a histotype reflects excessive dedifferentiation of an original squamous or glandular form.

Usefulness of carcinoembryonic antigen determination in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A comparative study among patients with peripheral lung cancer, pneumonia, and healthy individuals

We compared carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum of patients with lung cancer, pneumonia, and healthy individuals to determine the usefulness of CEA in diagnosing lung cancer not visible endoscopically. Cancer patients had CEA lavage fluid levels (4,650 +/- 1,565 ng/mg of albumin) significantly higher than pneumonia patients (755 +/- 346 ng/mg) or healthy individuals, smokers (252 +/- 48 ng/ml), and non-smokers (175 +/- 6 ng/mg). In serum, CEA assay cannot discern between cancer (35 +/- 13 ng/ml) and pneumonia (4.6 +/- 1.4 ng/ml) (p = 0.06). Using 1,000 ng/mg of albumin as the cutting point in BAL fluid, sensitivity and specificity were 77 percent and 94 percent, respectively. In serum, 5 ng/ml provided a sensitivity of 55 percent and specificity of 91 percent. Positive and negative predictive values were 77 percent and 94 percent in BAL, respectively, and 62 percent and 89 percent in serum, respectively. Using a combination of serum and BAL fluid CEA levels, the sensitivity and specificity were 88 percent and positive and negative predictive values were 66 percent and 96 percent, respectively. When used in combination with serum levels of CEA or transbronchial biopsy, the diagnostic yield increased up to 88 percent. Thus, although CEA determination in BAL fluid improves diagnostic yield, it should not be used as the only diagnostic procedure.

Needle brush in the diagnosis of lung mass or nodule through flexible bronchoscopy

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), in comparison with cytology brush and forceps biopsy, in the diagnosis of a pulmonary mass or coin lesions has been studied by Shure and Wang in the past. Both studies concluded that TBNA markedly increased the diagnostic yield. A new instrument, a "needle brush" (Mill Rose Lab), has been developed and compared with the following three instruments: a regular cytology brush was used first, followed by needle brush, TBNA, and forceps biopsy under fluoroscopy. Twenty-four patients were studied. A specific diagnosis was made in 16 patients (15 malignancies; one granuloma); in three patients, results were suspicious for malignancy, three patients had negative results, and in two patients the study was not complete. "Needle brush" biopsy was positive in 11 patients (exclusively in four); TBNA was positive in eight (exclusively in two). Regular brush biopsy was positive in seven (exclusively in none). Forceps biopsy was positive in four (exclusively in one; granuloma). We conclude that the needle brush and TBNA have a higher diagnostic yield in malignant lung masses or nodules. The use of regular brush and forceps biopsy did not increase the diagnostic yield in malignancy. Forceps biopsy might be more useful in benign diseases.

Diagnostic, morphologic, and histopathologic correlates in bronchogenic carcinoma. A review of 1,045 bronchoscopic examinations

Information on the correlation between bronchoscopically visible aspects, histopathologic classification, and diagnostic yield is very scarce. To contribute to the knowledge of the subject, we reviewed the bronchoscopic charts of 1,045 patients with lung cancer who were seen in the years from 1983 to 1989 at the Bronchology Service of the A. Carle Hospital. Tumors were more often located centrally and superiorly. No preference as to side was found. Squamous carcinomas were, by far, the most frequent cell type. Forceps biopsies, brushings, and washings were positive in 79 percent, 38 percent, and 32 percent of the obtained specimens, respectively. Bronchoscopically, squamous and small-cell carcinomas were more often visualized as central tumor-like lesions, which were better diagnosed by forceps biopsies. Adenocarcinomas, on the contrary, were more frequently peripheral and showed infiltrative, compressive, or aspecific findings. In these latter tumors, cytologic studies were more fruitful. Large-cell anaplastic carcinomas had an intermediate behavior. Cell type, endoscopic appearance, and diagnostic success are interrelated features. Visible characteristics at bronchoscopy can therefore anticipate the more likely histotype and guide the diagnostic approach.

Non-small cell lung cancer. Part I: Biology, diagnosis, and staging

Squamous, large cell, and adenocarcinoma, collectively termed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), are diagnosed in approximately 75% of patients with lung cancer in the United States. The treatment of these three tumor cell types is approached in virtually identical fashion because, in contrast to small cell carcinoma of the lung, NSCLC more frequently presents with localized disease at the time of diagnosis and is thus more often amenable to surgical resection but less frequently responds to chemotherapy and irradiation. Cigarette smoking is etiologically related to the development of NSCLC in the great majority of cases. Genetic mutations in dominant oncogenes such as K-ras, loss of genetic material on chromosomes 3p, 11p, and 17p, and deletions or mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as rb and p53 have been documented in NSCLC tumors and tumor cell lines. NSCLC is diagnosed because of symptoms related to the primary tumor or regional or distant metastases, as an incidental finding on chest radiograph, or rarely because of a paraneoplastic syndrome such as hypercalcemia or hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. Screening smokers with periodic chest radiographs and sputum cytologic examination has not been shown to reduce mortality. The diagnosis of NSCLC is usually established by fiberoptic bronchoscopy or percutaneous fine-needle aspiration, by biopsy of a regional or distant metastatic site, or at the time of thoracotomy. Pathologically, NSCLC arises in a setting of bronchial mucosal metaplasia and dysplasia that progressively increase over time. Squamous carcinoma more often presents as a central endobronchial lesion, while large cell and adenocarcinoma have a tendency to arise in the lung periphery and invade the pleura. Once the diagnosis is made, the extent of tumor dissemination is determined. Since most NSCLC patients who survive 5 years or longer have undergone surgical resection of their cancers, the focus of the staging process is to determine whether the patient is a candidate for thoracotomy with curative intent. The dominant prognostic factors in NSCLC are extent of tumor dissemination, ambulatory or performance status, and degree of weight loss. Stages I and II NSCLC, which are confined within the pleural reflection, are managed by surgical resection whenever possible, with approximate 5-year survival of 45% and 25%, respectively. Patients with stage IIIa cancers, in which the primary tumor has extended through the pleura or metastasized to ipsilateral or subcarinal lymph nodes, can occasionally be surgically resected but are often managed with definitive thoracic irradiation and have 5-year survival of approximately 15%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cytological typing of primary lung cancer: study of 100 cases with autopsy confirmation

In order to assess the accuracy of bronchial aspiration cytology in typing lung cancer, tissue sections from 100 autopsy cases of lung cancer were compared with the cytology features observed in the same patients prior to death. There was 100% accuracy in the cytology of small-cell carcinoma; 90% in squamous-cell carcinoma; 70% in adenocarcinoma; and 50% in undifferentiated large-cell carcinoma. The observed discrepancies probably reflect intrinsic tumor properties rather than problems attributable to either the bronchial aspiration method or cytology interpretation, especially in cases involving advanced lung carcinoma. Because the highest accuracy rate was in detecting small-cell carcinoma, it is recommended that only the distinction between small-cell and non-small-cell forms be made on cytologic grounds and that further categorizations only be rendered in cases with unquestionable cytomorphological features.

Diagnostic sensitivity of different techniques in the diagnosis of lung tumors with the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. Comparison of brush biopsy, imprint cytology of forceps biopsy, and histology of forceps biopsy

Brush and forceps biopsies were done consecutively in 186 cases of pulmonary neoplasia with a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope guided by x-ray television fluoroscopy. Imprint and histologic sections were prepared from all forceps biopsy specimens. The three techniques were compared for their diagnostic sensitivity. As a result 84.9% of all imprints, 80.6% of brush biopsy specimens, and 62.9% of histologic sections were positive for malignancy. The sensitivity of brush biopsy specimens was independent of the location and morphology of the tumors, but the sensitivity of forceps biopsy specimens was lower in neoplasms unidentified by bronchoscopy. The sensitivity of the diagnostic accuracy when all three methods were used jointly was 97.3%, and the specificity was 100%. Agreement in the final morphologic tumor type was found in 130 of 150 cases (86.7%) by positive brush biopsy specimens, in 136 of 158 cases (86.1%) by positive imprint cytology, and in 104 of 117 cases (88.9%) by positive histology from forceps biopsy specimens. For routine bronchoscopy, all three methods should be used in combination to obtain the highest diagnostic yield.

Computed tomography in endobronchial neoplasms

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 86 patients with bronchoscopically proven endobronchial neoplasms. There were 76 primary and 10 metastatic lesions. CT correctly identified the abnormal airway in 95% of cases (82/86) by demonstrating either nodule, mass, or stricture. A discrete endobronchial nodule was seen in 55% (47/86). There was good morphological correlation of CT with bronchoscopic findings (89% for discrete nodule, 80% overall). Appropriate atelectasis was noted in 80% (69/86) of cases. CT is sensitive in detecting and localizing endobronchial neoplasms and correlates well with bronchoscopic findings.

Value of washings and brushings at fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of lung cancer

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic yield for lung cancer from histological biopsy specimens and from washings and brushings for cytological examination taken at fibreoptic bronchoscopy. The records of 680 bronchoscopies were analysed. Of 300 patients eventually diagnosed as having a malignant lesion, 188 had had biopsy, washing, and brushing. Of these, 125 had endoscopically visible tumour (group A) and 63 had no abnormal findings or abnormal findings that were not diagnostic of malignancy (group B). In group A biopsy specimens gave a positive result in 76% of cases, washings in 49.6%, and brushings in 52%; biopsy material gave the only positive result in 22.4% of cases, washings in 2.2%, and brushings in 4.8%. In group B biopsy specimens were positive in 36.5%, washings in 38.1%, and brushings in 28.6%; biopsy gave the only positive result in 11.1% of cases, washing in 9.5%, and brushing in 3.2%. Washing had a higher diagnostic yield than brushing in group B. Biopsy and cytological examination of either washings or brushings were found to give over 95% of all positive results in group A, but in group B the combination of biopsy and washing was more often successful (94.3%) than biopsy and brushing (82.8%). It is concluded that for the maximum diagnostic yield in the diagnosis of lung cancer biopsy should be combined with cytology using both washings and brushings.

Clinical deterioration in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: causes and assessment

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) inevitably experience declines in functional status that are most frequently due to progressive pulmonary fibrosis. However, the cause of the clinical deterioration is often uncertain, and disease progression is difficult to distinguish from disease-associated complications or adverse effects of therapy. In studies of the clinical course of IPF, mortality is most frequently due to respiratory failure (38.7%); other causes of death include heart failure (14.4%), bronchogenic carcinoma (10.4%), ischemic heart disease (9.5%), infection (6.5%), and pulmonary embolism (3.4%). Other, usually nonfatal, disease-associated complications include pneumothorax, corticosteroid-induced metabolic side effects and myopathy, and therapy-related immunosuppression. In evaluating clinical deterioration in patients with IPF, disease-associated complications and adverse effects of therapy should be distinguished from progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The cause of clinical deterioration will alter the therapeutic intervention required and will influence patient prognosis and duration of survival. This article examines the causes of clinical deterioration in patients with IPF and the diagnostic procedures for assessing disease-associated complications and staging IPF progression.

Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms

To evaluate the usefulness of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNAB) in the primary diagnosis of lung cancer, we undertook a prospective study of this technique, assessing specimens from 124 patients over a 3-yr period. Cytologic and/or histologic material obtained by an alternate technique was available for 105 (84.7%) of the patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of TBNAB was comparable with that of other bronchoscopic techniques; with the addition of TBNAB, the overall sensitivity of bronchoscopy was increased from 54% to 72% (P less than 0.001). Because of its usefulness for diagnosis of submucosal tumors and its safety, we conclude that TBNAB is a useful addition to current methods for the diagnosis of suspicious pulmonary lesions.

Isolated pulmonary nodules in head and neck cancer patients

Not infrequently, a patient with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer is noted on preoperative chest radiography to have a solitary pulmonary nodule. It is initially unclear whether the pulmonary nodule is a benign lesion or a metastatic or primary lung malignancy. Considerable controversy exists regarding the evaluation of such patients as well as the treatment, assuming that the pulmonary lesion is malignant. We have reviewed the UCLA experience with patients who had head and neck cancers and pulmonary cancers no more than 5 years apart, and reviewed the literature on early stage lung cancer. We present a rational approach to the workup and treatment of patients with head and neck cancer and a pulmonary nodule on chest radiography.

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy: an assessment of immediate cytological diagnosis using methylene blue stain

A method of examining cytological material during fibreoptic bronchoscopy using a methylene blue (MB) stain was assessed in 164 consecutive fibreoptic bronchoscopies where cytology specimens were taken. The MB method provided an immediate positive diagnosis in 86% of bronchoscopically visible tumours. Subsequent histology provided a positive diagnosis in 69%, conventional brush cytology in 81% and trap cytology in 77%. The MB method produced no false positive diagnosis of malignancy and the tumour cell type identified by MB stain agreed with the histological cell type in 72% of cases. This technique is considered to be sufficiently specific to provide a method of controlling the quality of specimens taken at bronchoscopy, for further analysis in the laboratory.

An improved method of cell recovery following bronchial brushing

Cytologic examination of bronchial brush specimens is effective in diagnosing bronchogenic carcinoma. A major problem is loss of cells and cellular detail associated with the direct smear technique (DST). A more recent method, the Saccomanno brush wash (SBW), uses a narrow-mouthed vial to scrape cells off the brush directly into fixative. We sampled 12 directly visualized airway tumors using standard brush technique. The same brush was then agitated in a SBW vial, which was centrifuged, the cell pellet being smeared over a predetermined area of a slide. Designated areas of each slide were counted and total malignant cells per slide extrapolated. DST slides had significantly fewer cells than SBW slides, and cellular detail was better with SBW in seven cases, DST in one case, and equal in four cases. SBW appears preferable for handling of bronchial brush specimens.

Transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) was performed as a diagnostic procedure in 91 consecutive patients ultimately proven to have bronchogenic carcinoma. Results of TBNA were compared, in the same patients, to the diagnostic yield of cytologic examination of sputum, endobronchial brushings and washings, and endobronchial/transbronchial biopsy. The diagnostic yield for sputum was 13 percent (10 of 75); brushings, 40 percent (34 of 84); washings, 29 percent (26 of 89); biopsy, 56 percent (42 of 75); and TBNA, 45 percent (41 of 91). Aspirates were positive in 35 percent of patients with adenocarcinoma, 41 percent with squamous cell carcinoma, 52 percent with large cell undifferentiated carcinoma, and 55 percent of patients with small cell carcinoma. Carinal aspirates were positive in 54 percent (6 of 11); paratracheal aspirates, 57 percent (13 of 23); parabronchial aspirates, 39 percent (11 of 28); endobronchial, 78 percent (7 of 9), and peripheral mass or solitary pulmonary nodule, 40 percent (17 of 42). The overall diagnostic yield for brushings, washings, and biopsy was 64 percent. The addition of TBNA increased the yield to 71 percent. Bronchogenic carcinoma was diagnosed solely by TBNA in six patients, all with extrabronchial or extratracheal lesions. We conclude that TBNA increases the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy, particularly in patients with extratracheal and extrabronchial lesions. An equally important observation is that TBNA fails to contribute significantly to the diagnosis of cancer in patients with lesions readily accessible by conventional bronchoscopic techniques. Exceptions to this observation include occasional patients with necrotic endobronchial tumors, submucosal lesions, and rarely patients with peripheral lung nodules or masses.

Bronchial brushing and bronchial biopsy: comparison of diagnostic accuracy and cell typing reliability in lung cancer

A total of 443 patients with lung cancer underwent brush and forceps biopsy through a fibreoptic bronchoscope. The biopsy was taken from the area of suspected malignancy which had been brushed. Of 443 patients, 400 (90.3%) showed positive results on brushing and 287 (64.8%) on biopsy. A combination of both techniques yielded the highest percentage of positive diagnosis (93.7%). Histologically, there was a high incidence of positive diagnosis for squamous and small cell carcinoma. One hundred and three (83.7%) of 123 specimens obtained by brushing and 75 (81.5%) of 92 specimens obtained by biopsy agreed with the cell type found in the surgical or necropsy specimen. Cell typing accuracy was higher in squamous and in small cell carcinoma in both techniques. As the cell typing accuracy of the two methods is similar, the results obtained by both techniques should be taken into consideration in the management of individual cases of lung cancer.

Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of bronchoscopy in neoplasm metastatic to lung

Bronchoscopic examination to diagnose lung metastases has not been as rewarding as in primary lung cancer. Despite a lower expected yield, we believe the procedure has value in certain patients, ie, those with clinical findings of endobronchial disease. To determine better the value of bronchoscopy in this population, we retrospectively reviewed records of patients at five community teaching hospitals over a 66-month period. These patients all underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy. They had a history of prior nonpulmonary malignancy and an abnormal chest roentgenogram suspicious for recurrent malignant disease, or they presented with abnormal chest roentgenographic findings and further evaluation showed the lung disease to be metastatic. Bronchoscopy for metastatic lung disease was most likely diagnostic in patients with primary colorectal cancer (79 percent) and breast cancer (57 percent), and least likely in patients with genitourinary tract cancer (33 percent). Hemoptysis, signs of local airway obstruction, or a roentgenogram showing either atelectasis or diffuse lung disease especially favored a positive biopsy. Bronchoscopy is a valuable diagnostic procedure in selected patients with metastatic lung disease.

Transbronchial needle aspiration of peripheral pulmonary nodules

To determine the role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions, TBNA was performed in 20 patients who had unexplained nodules (15) or masses (five) and no endobronchial abnormality. The TBNA cytopathology was positive for malignancy in 11 patients, and provided the only diagnostic specimen in seven. The TBNA yield was significantly higher than that of forceps biopsy or bronchial brushing, either alone or in combination (p less than 0.05). The procedure was complicated by pneumothorax in one patient. Transbronchial needle aspiration is diagnostically useful and safe for evaluation of the peripheral pulmonary nodule.

Relationship of radiologic position to the diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in bronchial carcinoma

The radiologic position of tumors in 100 patients with bronchial carcinoma was compared with the diagnostic yield from fiberoptic bronchoscopy. A new method for dividing the chest x-ray film into three areas (hilar, perihilar, and peripheral) was based upon the expected range of vision of the fiberoptic bronchoscope. At bronchoscopy without fluoroscopy, only eight (36 percent) of 22 radiologically peripheral tumors were diagnosed, compared with 31 (94 percent) out of 33 hilar tumors (p less than 0.001) and 34 (76 percent) out of 45 perihilar tumors (p less than 0.01). The results show that in hilar and perihilar tumors, fiberoptic bronchoscopy gives a high diagnostic yield, whereas in peripheral tumors the yield is poor. This method allows the clinician to judge from the chest x-ray film whether a tumor is likely to be visible bronchoscopically. Thus, in radiologically peripheral tumors, as defined by our method, fluoroscopy at the time of fiberoptic bronchoscopy should be available to the clinician, or alternative diagnostic methods should be considered.

Lung cancer cell type as a determinant of bronchoscopy yield

The accuracy of diagnosis of lung cancer obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopy utilizing sputum cytology and bronchial biopsy depends on the size, location, and number of biopsy samples taken from the tumor. We have found that the accuracy of diagnosis also depends upon the histologic type of cancer. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (brushings, washing, and biopsies) was performed and sputum cytology and bronchial tissue was obtained from 51 patients with histologically-proven lung cancer. The bronchial biopsy was more sensitive than the bronchial washing and brushing techniques in detecting primary bronchogenic and metastatic carcinoma. It was positive in ten of ten patients with small cell carcinoma, 12 out of 20 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, three of four cases of adenocarcinoma, and three of four patients with large cell cancer. The bronchial biopsy yield was influenced by the histologic cell type with the highest diagnostic yield being found with small cell carcinoma.