Bronchoscopy-guided transtracheal and transbronchial fine-needle aspiration biopsy: a 5-year institutional review of 111 cases

Radiology-guided forceps biopsy and airway stenting in severe airway stenosis

PURPOSE

We aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of radiology-guided forceps biopsy and airway stenting in patients with severe airway stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study involved 28 patients with severe airway stenosis who underwent forceps biopsy between October 2006 and September 2011. Chest multislice computed tomography was used to determine the location and extent of stenosis. Sixteen patients had tracheal stenosis, two patients had stenosis of the tracheal carina, six patients had stenosis of the left main bronchus, and four patients had stenosis of the right main bronchus. Forceps biopsy and stenting of the stenosed area were performed under fluoroscopic guidance in digital subtraction angiography and the biopsy specimens were analyzed histopathologically. We contacted the patients via phone call and utilized a standardized questionnaire to determine their medical condition during a postoperative three-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The technical success rate of radiology-guided forceps biopsy was 100%. Biopsy specimens were obtained in all patients. Dyspnea was relieved immediately after stent placement. No serious complications, such as tracheal hemorrhage or perforation, mediastinal emphysema, or asphyxia, occurred.

CONCLUSION

Radiology-guided forceps biopsy and airway stenting can be used for the emergency treatment of severe airway stenosis. This method appears to be safe and effective, and it may be an alternative therapeutic option in patients who cannot tolerate fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Post-brushing and fine-needle aspiration biopsy follow-up and treatment options for patients with pancreatobiliary lesions: The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology Guidelines

The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) has developed a set of guidelines for pancreatobiliary cytology including indications for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, techniques of EUS-FNA, terminology and nomenclature for pancreatobiliary cytology, ancillary testing and post-procedure management. All documents are based on the expertise of the authors, a review of the literature and discussions of the draft document at several national and international meetings over an 18 month period and synthesis of online comments of the draft document on the PSC web site (www.papsociety.org). This document selectively presents the results of these discussions and focuses on the follow-up and treatment options for patients after procedures performed for obtaining cytology samples for the evaluation of biliary strictures and solid and cystic masses in the pancreas. These recommendations follow the six-tiered terminology and nomenclature scheme proposed by committee III.

[Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer]

Within recent years, the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer has become increasingly heterogeneous and complex. New cytotoxic agents and drugs against molecular targets have been developed. Moreover, new indications for therapy such as maintenance therapy have been explored. In addition, by assessing defined molecular markers, it is possible to identify patients who may likely respond to a given treatment. This approach will continue in the future; thus, it will be possible to characterize patient into subgroups based on molecular, histological, or clinical markers. This review will summarize the current state of the art in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Impact of Rapid On-Site Cytologic Evaluation During Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the extent to which rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) samples can safely and cost-effectively reduce the need for additional biopsy during bronchoscopy.

SETTING

University Hospital in Long Island, NY.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Forty-four bronchoscopies with TBNA, most of which utilized ROSE, were evaluated prospectively. The number and types of biopsies performed during each procedure were compared to a preprocedural algorithm to determine the impact of knowing ROSE results during the procedure. Bronchoscopies performed with and without ROSE were compared, as were bronchoscopies with diagnostic and nondiagnostic ROSE results. A cost analysis was performed comparing the Medicare reimbursement for ROSE to the savings of deferring multiple biopsies.

RESULTS

Thirty-two bronchoscopies were performed with ROSE; 12 were performed without ROSE. Fewer biopsies were performed during bronchoscopies utilizing ROSE. Diagnostic yield, TBNA sensitivity and accuracy, and procedural time were similar between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

ROSE during TBNA allows for deferring additional biopsy without loss in diagnostic yield, likely lowers procedural risk, and is cost-effective.