Clinical utility of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of mediastinal masses in the absence of known pulmonary malignancy

Role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in evaluating mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies of unknown origin

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in diagnosing mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies. A total of 154 patients with mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathies were included in this retrospective study between February 2010 and March 2015. Malignancy was suspected in the patients as a result of imaging findings and EUS-FNAs were performed to confirm the diagnoses. EUS and EUS-FNA data, as well as hospital medical records, were reviewed. The accuracy of EUS-FNA was 90.8% for diagnosing malignancy and 85.6% for diagnosing benign lymphadenopathy. In combination with flow cytometry (FCM), the accuracy of EUS-FNA to determine lymphoma was 94.2%. Among the malignant lymphadenopathy cases, 80 were caused by metastasis, 19 by lymphoma and 1 by myeloid leukemia. In the 53 benign cases, EUS-FNA revealed a nonspecific inflammatory condition in 27 patients, tuberculosis in 21 patients and Castleman's disease in 5 patients. The factors revealed to be associated with malignant lymphadenopathy included the sex and age of patients, as well as the location and size of the enlarged lymph node. In particular, celiac axis lymphadenopathy was associated with malignancy (23.0% of cases of malignancy, vs. 3.8% of benign lymphadenopathy). EUS-FNA results additionally suggested that the malignant lymph nodes observed in celiac axis were more likely to result from lymphoma (42.1%; 8/19 cases) than metastasis (18.8%; 15/80 cases; P=0.039). By contrast, malignant lymph nodes observed in the mediastinum were more likely to be caused by metastasis (47.5%; 38/80 cases) than lymphoma (10.5%; 2/19 cases; P=0.004). The results of the present study suggested that EUS-FNA is accurate for differentiating between malignancy and benign lymphadenopathy. Therefore, EUS-FNA in combination with FCM analysis, as a minimally invasive and highly sensitive tool, should be routinely performed for the identification of lymphoma. Additionally, examining the enlarged celiac axis lymph nodes of elderly males, who exhibit an increased risk of malignancy, may be beneficial.

Endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases

EUS is a useful tool for diagnosis of mediastinal diseases. EUS-FNA plays an important role in staging of lung cancer and in tissue acquisition in patients with mediastinal masses. In this review, the following issues will be addressed: EUS-FNA and EBUS-TBNA, metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes diagnosed by EUS, EUS in assessment of mediastinal lymph node status for staging of lung cancer, mediastinal lymphoma diagnosed by EUS, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis diagnosed by EUS.

Endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer

We reviewed the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and esophageal ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the pretherapeutic assessment of patients with proven or suspected lung cancer. EUS-FNA and EBUS-TBNA have been shown to have a good diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. In the future, these techniques in combination with positron emission tomography/computed tomographic may replace surgical staging in patients with suspected and proven lung cancer, but until then surgical staging remains the gold standard for adequate preoperative evaluation.

Uterine cervical cancer metastases to mediastinal lymph nodes diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration

Utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) for diagnosis of metastatic mediastinal lymph node (MLN) following an unproductive computed tomography (CT) guided-biopsy in a patient with cervical cancer. A 35-year-old woman with locally invasive cervical cancer was found to have a suspicious paraesophageal posterior MLN during the preliminary staging. Mediastinal metastasis from cervical cancer has been rarely reported. Mediastinal CT-guided-biopsy was non-diagnostic. Hence, patient underwent EUS guided-FNA of MLN confirming metastatic cervical cancer. Cervical cancer metastasis to MLN is rare. EUS can be safely and effectively used for FNA from paraesophageal lymph nodes.

Advances in cytopathology for lung cancer: the impact and challenges of new technologies

Despite recent advances in treatment modalities, the survival rate of patients with lung cancer has not significantly improved. Therefore, new avenues are being explored in the era of evolving personalized patient management by early detection. Cytology is now the mainstay to address the diagnostic needs of pulmonary malignancies. Cytology specimens deliver diagnostic results equivalent to tissue biopsies. Fine-needle aspirations are equally useful to perform diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic immunohistochemical markers and molecular analysis. This article reviews the main new technologies that produced this revolution. The new role of the cytopathologist in this time of interdisciplinary care is also discussed.

Clinical utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has proven to be helpful in obtaining tissue samples from enlarged mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymph nodes. This is especially beneficial in the diagnosis and staging of malignancy. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical utility of this method at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Pakistan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of 183 consecutive patients referred to the gastroenterology service from August 2008 to March 2012 were reviewed in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 46.7 years (range 6-87; 62% males); 119 patients had mediastinal and 64 had intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. Major indications for referral were diagnosis of lymphadenopathy of unknown origin detected on CT scan or PET-CT, to exclude lymph node metastasis in patients with a known primary tumor and to rule out relapse of lymphoma following treatment or during follow-up. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was performed in all patients to confirm the adequacy of sampling, followed by definitive cytopathological evaluation.

RESULTS

EUS-FNA with ROSE obtained adequate tissue for cytology in 97.3% of the patients in this cohort. These results were further confirmed on final cytopathological analysis in 96.2% of patients. Two patients (1.1%) had inadequate specimens for final interpretation (97.3 vs. 96.2; p = 0.001). Clinical utility was 95% for mediastinal lymphadenopathy and 98.4% for intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. Only 1 patient had a serious complication requiring hospitalization and this was successfully managed conservatively.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA is safe and has a high clinical utility in diagnosing unexplained mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy.

A review of noninvasive staging of the mediastinum for non-small cell lung carcinoma

Lung cancer and bronchogenic carcinoma are malignancies originating from the airways and pulmonary parenchyma. Most (approximately 90%) lung cancers are classified as non-small cell lung cancer. This distinction carries important differences for staging, treatment, and prognosis. This article presents a review of mediastinal staging for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Predictors of malignancy in EUS-guided FNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients without history of lung cancer

BACKGROUND:

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) poses a great diagnostic challenge.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the predictors of malignancy in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of ML in patients without known lung cancer.

DESIGN:

Retrospective study.

SETTING:

Tertiary referral center.

METHODS:

One hundred eight patients without known lung cancer who underwent EUS guided-FNA for ML between 2000 and 2007. All subjects underwent EUS-guided FNA. Data was collected on patients′ demographics, and lymph node (LN) characteristics. Diagnosis of LN malignancy was based on FNA findings and clinical follow-up.

RESULTS:

One hundred eight patients were analyzed; 58 (54%) were men and 87 (79%) were Caucasian. Mean age was 55 years. Prior malignancy was present in 48 (43%) patients. A total of 126 FNA samples from 126 distinct LNs were performed. Twenty-five (20%) LNs were positive for malignancy. Mean short and long-axis for LNs were 13 and 29 mms respectively. Round shape and sharp borders were found in 29 (15%) and 25 (22%) LNs, correspondingly. Independent predictors of a malignant FNA were: Prior cancer (OR 13.10; 95% CI 2.7-63.32; P = 0.001), short axis (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.00-1.22; P = 0.041) and sharp LN borders (OR 5.47; 95% CI 1.01-29.51; P = 0.048). Age, race, gender, long axis, round shape were not associated with cancer in our cohort.

LIMITATIONS:

Retrospective design and lack of surgical gold standard.

CONCLUSIONS:

Increased risk of malignancy was associated with prior history of cancer, larger LN short axis and presence of LN sharp borders. These predictors may help guide endoscopists perform FNA in malignant LNs, increasing the overall efficiency of EUS-FNA for ML.

Assessment of morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-guided FNA: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) permits both morphologic and cytologic analysis of lesions within or adjacent to the GI tract. Although previous studies have evaluated the accuracy of EUS-FNA, little is known about the complications of EUS-FNA. Moreover, the frequency and severity of complications may vary from center to center and may be related to differences in individual experience.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-FNA.

DESIGN

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant English-language articles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

EUS-FNA-specific morbidity and mortality rates.

RESULTS

We identified 51 articles with a total of 10,941 patients who met our inclusion and exclusion criteria; the overall rate of EUS-FNA-specific morbidity was 0.98% (107/10,941). In the small proportion of patients with complications of any kind, the rates of pancreatitis (36/8246; 0.44%) and postprocedure pain (37/10,941; 0.34%) were 33.64% (36/107) and 34.58% (37/107), respectively. The mortality rate attributable to EUS-FNA-specific morbidity was 0.02% (2/10,941). Subgroup analysis showed that the morbidity rate was 2.44% in prospective studies compared with 0.35% in retrospective studies for pancreatic mass lesions (P=.000), whereas it was 2.33% versus 5.07% for pancreatic cysts (P=.036).

LIMITATIONS

Few articles reported well-designed, prospective studies and few focused on overall complications after EUS-FNA.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA-related morbidity and mortality rates are relatively low, and most associated events are mild to moderate in severity.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsies for gene expression ratio-based diagnostic and prognostic tests in malignant pleural mesothelioma

PURPOSE

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease associated with median survival between 9 and 12 months. The correct diagnosis of MPM is sometimes challenging and usually requires solid tissue biopsies rather than fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNA). We postulated that the accuracy of FNA-based diagnosis might be improved by the addition of molecular tests using a gene expression ratio-based algorithm and that prognostic tests could be similarly performed.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Two MPM and 2 lung cancer cell lines were used to establish the minimal quantity of RNA required to perform the gene ratio test. On the basis of these results, 276 ex vivo FNA biopsies from 63 MPM patients and 250 ex vivo FNA samples from 92 lung cancer patients were analyzed using previously described diagnostic and prognostic tests based on gene expression ratios.

RESULTS

We found that the sensitivity of the diagnostic test for MPM was 100% [95% confidence interval (CI): 95%-100%] and the specificity in primary lung adenocarcinoma was 90% (95% CI: 81%-95%). The FNA-based prognostic classification was concordant among 76% (95% CI: 65%-87%) of patients with the risk assignment in a subset of the matched surgical specimens previously analyzed by the prognostic test.

CONCLUSIONS

Sufficient RNA can be extracted from most FNA biopsies to perform gene expression molecular tests. In particular, we show that the gene expression ratio algorithms performed well when applied to diagnosis and prognosis in MPM. This study provides support for the development of additional RNA molecular tests that may enhance the utility of FNA in the management of other solid cancers.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with aspirate assay to diagnose suspected mediastinal parathyroid adenomas

OBJECTIVE

To describe our experience with mediastinal parathyroid adenomas diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and measurement of parathyroid hormone.

METHODS

We describe the clinical and pathologic findings and diagnostic techniques used in 2 study patients.

RESULTS

Patient 1 was a 54-year-old man with persistently elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone concentrations despite removal of a right inferior parathyroid adenoma. An echoendoscope was used to identify the lesion and to perform FNA. The parathyroid hormone concentration measured in the aspirated material was 1800 pg/mL. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed a 29.7-g parathyroid adenoma. Patient 2 was an 86-year-old woman with recurrent hyperparathyroidism. A linear array echoendoscope was used to perform FNA of the lesion in her mediastinum. The parathyroid hormone concentration measured in the aspirated specimen was 6905 pg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative localization of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism is often difficult. EUS-FNA allows evaluation of masses, such as those found in the mediastinum, that are poorly evaluated by other imaging modalities. This technique may be a useful adjunct in diagnosing mediastinal parathyroid adenomas.

Performance of EUS-FNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy: impact on patient management and costs in low-volume EUS centers

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of mediastinal lymphadenopathy has been shown to be a valuable diagnostic tool in high-volume EUS centers (≥50 mediastinal EUS-FNA/endoscopist/year). Our goal was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA and its impact on clinical management and costs in low-volume EUS centers (<50 mediastinal EUS-FNA/endoscopist/year).

Methods

Consecutive patients referred to two Dutch endoscopy centers in the period 2002–2008 for EUS-FNA of mediastinal lymphadenopathy were reviewed. The gold standard for a cytological diagnosis was histological confirmation or clinical follow-up of more than 6 months with repeat imaging. The impact of EUS-FNA on clinical management was subdivided into a positive impact by providing (1) adequate cytology that influenced the decision to perform surgery or (2) a diagnosis of a benign inflammatory disorder, and a negative impact which was subdivided into (1) false-negative or inconclusive cytology or (2) an adequate cytological diagnosis that did not influence patient management. Costs of an alternative diagnostic work-up without EUS-FNA, as established by an expert panel, were compared to costs of the actual work-up.

Results

In total, 213 patients (71% male, median age = 61 years, range = 23–88 years) underwent EUS-FNA. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were 89%, 100%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. EUS-FNA had a positive impact on clinical management in 84% of cases by either influencing the decision to perform surgery (49%) or excluding malignant lymphadenopathy (35%), and a negative impact in 7% of cases because of inadequate (3%) or false-negative (4%) cytology. In 9% of cases, EUS-FNA was performed without an established indication. Two nonfatal perforations occurred (0.9%). Total cost reduction was €100,593, with a mean cost reduction of €472 (SD = €607) per patient.

Conclusions

Mediastinal EUS-FNA can be performed in low-volume EUS centers without compromising diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, EUS-FNA plays an important role in the management of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and reduces total diagnostic costs.

Unusual features of malignant pleural mesothelioma metastatic to the mediastinal lymph nodes

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare cancer that metastasizes to mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs). The diagnosis of MPM metastatic to MLNs may not be straightforward. We describe 3 cases to highlight unusual entities of MPM metastatic to MLNs as follows. One patient with a history of T3N1M0, poorly differentiated esophageal adenocarcinoma and malignant melanoma presented with shortness of breath, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion; metastatic disease was clinically suspected. Unexpectedly, immunohistochemical studies supported the diagnosis of MPM metastatic to the MLN on biopsy. In another case, mesothelial cell inclusions were initially diagnosed based on the light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and lack of pleural thickening on computed tomography studies. Subsequent fine needle aspiration of an enlarged cervical lymph node found an atypical mesothelial proliferation, and metastatic mesothelioma was strongly suspected. Video-assisted thoracoscopic examination showed small visceral nodules, and pleural biopsy was diagnosed as malignant epithelioid mesothelioma. The mediastinal and cervical lymph node biopsies were reinterpreted as positive for MPM. In the last case, MLN biopsy showed a malignant epithelioid cell proliferation. Calretinin, CK5/6, WT-1, D2-40, p63, and CD5 were immunohistochemically detected in the tumor but epithelial markers and TTF-1 were negative. Metastatic mesothelioma was considered based on immunohistochemistry and computerized tomography finding of pleural thickening even though p63 and CD5 positivity were unusual. In summary, MPM may present as mediastinal lymphadenopathy with metastases or it may be a concurrent neoplasm with other malignancies or shows an unusual immunohistochemical staining pattern. Caution should be used when diagnosing mesothelial cell inclusions in MLNs.

Diagnostic usefulness and challenges in the diagnosis of mesothelioma by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplasm. It has been noted in the literature that fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful tool for the diagnosis of mesothelioma. However, the differential diagnosis may require use of a battery of immunohistochemical stains. Clinico-radiologic correlation is also crucial. Real time endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combined with FNA has been shown to be a very sensitive technique to obtain samples from different organ sites, including mediastinal lesions. The use of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of mesothelioma, reinforces the role of a cytopathologist as a cohesive team player along with a radiologist and a clinician during on-site assessment for the proper triage of additional specimens for ancillary studies leading to a better patient management.

Endoscopic ultrasound: it's accuracy in evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy? A meta-analysis and systematic review

AIM

To evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

METHODS

Only EUS and EUS-FNA studies confirmed by surgery or with appropriate follow-up were selected. Articles were searched in Medline, Pubmed, and Cochrane control trial registry. Only studies from which a 2 multiply 2 table could be constructed for true positive, false negative, false positive and true negative values were included. Two reviewers independently searched and extracted data. The differences were resolved by mutual agreement. Meta-analysis for the accuracy of EUS was analyzed by calculating pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios. Pooling was conducted by both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian Laird method (random effects model). The heterogeneity of studies was tested using Cochran's Q test based upon inverse variance weights.

RESULTS

Data was extracted from 76 studies (n = 9310) which met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 44 studies used EUS alone and 32 studies used EUS-FNA. FNA improved the sensitivity of EUS from 84.7% (95% CI: 82.9-86.4) to 88.0% (95% CI: 85.8-90.0). With FNA, the specificity of EUS improved from 84.6% (95% CI: 83.2-85.9) to 96.4% (95% CI: 95.3-97.4). The P for chi-squared heterogeneity for all the pooled accuracy estimates was > 0.10.

CONCLUSION

EUS is highly sensitive and specific for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and FNA substantially improves this. EUS with FNA should be the diagnostic test of choice for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

[Transesophageal ultrasonography for mediastinum diagnostics]

Along with endosonographic fine needle aspiration, transoesophageal ultrasonography is now well established for staging gastrointestinal tumors. It is especially well suited to assessing mediastinal structures due to its transoesophageal approach and its high local definition. The mediastinum can be viewed all the way from the tracheal bifurcation to the diaphragm. This technique is already in regular use for pulmonary problems and especially for staging pulmonary carcinomas.

Esophageal endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) may be employed for procurement of a tissue diagnosis in a minimally invasive fashion. In many cases, EUS-FNA excludes the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures when a tissue diagnosis is required. In patients with esophageal neoplasms, EUS-FNA is a safe and accurate tool for the preoperative diagnosis of metastatic spread to the paraesophageal and celiac lymph nodes. EUS-FNA is also increasingly recognized as an accurate, cost-effective and safe means of evaluating and staging patients with lung cancer. EUS-FNA is useful in providing tissue confirmation of cancer in cases in which bronchoscopy or computed tomography-guided approaches has been non-diagnostic. EUS-guided therapies are paving the way for therapeutic/interventional EUS. The interventional endoscopist will now play a more central role in the diagnosis and treatment of various gastrointestinal malignancies by delivering antitumor agents.

[Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions]

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive cases in which EUS-FNA was used for the diagnosis of a mediastinal lesion between January 2001 and September 2003. We used a radial echoendoscope to assess the characteristics of the lesion and a linear-array echoendoscope to perform transesophageal needle aspiration with a 22-gauge needle. Histopathology of the resected specimen was considered as the gold standard in surgically treated patients whereas cytology obtained by EUS-FNA was the gold standard when surgery was not indicated.

RESULTS

EUS-FNA was performed in 59 patients with a total of 89 lesions with mean (SD) dimensions of 2.4 (2.0) cm x 1.6 (1.4) cm. Malignant lesions were larger than benign ones (short axis, 2.7 [1.4] as compared with 1.0 [0.9] cm; P< .001). The diagnosis was obtained for 53 patients (90%) and 81 lesions (91%) with a mean of 2 (1) passes per lesion. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA were 81%, 100%, 100%, 75%, and 88%, respectively, when analyzed by lesion, and 88%, 100%, 100%, 80%, and 92% when analyzed by patient.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an effective technique for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The likelihood of malignancy increases with size.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Lesions

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive cases in which EUS-FNA was used for the diagnosis of a mediastinal lesion between January 2001 and September 2003. We used a radial echoendoscope to assess the characteristics of the lesion and a linear-array echoendoscope to perform transesophageal needle aspiration with a 22-gauge needle. Histopathology of the resected specimen was considered as the gold standard in surgically treated patients whereas cytology obtained by EUS-FNA was the gold standard when surgery was not indicated.

RESULTS

EUS-FNA was performed in 59 patients with a total of 89 lesions with mean (SD) dimensions of 2.4 (2.0) cm x 1.6 (1.4) cm. Malignant lesions were larger than benign ones (short axis, 2.7 [1.4] as compared with 1.0 [0.9] cm; P< .001). The diagnosis was obtained for 53 patients (90%) and 81 lesions (91%) with a mean of 2 (1) passes per lesion. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA were 81%, 100%, 100%, 75%, and 88%, respectively, when analyzed by lesion, and 88%, 100%, 100%, 80%, and 92% when analyzed by patient.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an effective technique for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The likelihood of malignancy increases with size.

CURRENT CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been developed since the early 1980s. Its clinical role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal wall lesions and staging of gastrointestinal and lung cancer has evolved over the last two decades. Initially, it was either used as an imaging tool for gastrointestinal wall lesions or for staging of gastrointestinal tumours. However, in combination with fine-needle aspiration under real-time scanning, EUS is now being used in tissue sampling for diagnosis. In addition, EUS may be used therapeutically in coeliac plexus neurolysis or pseudocyst drainage. This review concentrates on the current applications of EUS.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the evaluation of suspected lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer is still not fully explored. This prospective study aimed to define the effectiveness of EUS-FNA as an adjunct to computer tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy in the evaluation of suspected lung cancer in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

Over a period of 20 weeks, the data of 16 consecutive patients suspected of lung cancer on account of respiratory symptoms, and/or the findings of either a mass or mediastinal lymph nodes on helical CT, who were referred for evaluation by EUS, were prospectively collected. Fourteen of these patients underwent sequential bronchoscopy followed by EUS-FNA in the same setting.

RESULTS

Bronchoscopy was performed in 15 patients, while EUS was performed in all 16 patients. Bronchoscopy diagnosed 9 cases of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but was falsely negative in 3 cases of malignancies, which were all established by EUS-FNA of mediastinal lymph nodes (2 cases of NSCLC and 1 case of esophageal squamous cell cancer). EUS-FNA also diagnosed advanced NSCLC in another patient who did not undergo bronchoscopy, such that eventually 13 patients were diagnosed to have malignancies. Distant metastases were diagnosed by EUS-FNA in 4 cases of NSCLC (2 cases of left adrenal gland and 2 cases of pancreatic metastases). Two patients were diagnosed to have sarcoidosis and 1 patient was diagnosed to have pneumoconiosis eventually.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is useful as an adjunct to CT and bronchoscopy in the evaluation of suspected lung cancer.

Review of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology

This review, based on the Hennepin County Medical Center experience and review of the literature, vastly covers the up-to-date role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluating tumorous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs. Emphasis is given to the tumoral and nodal staging of esophageal, pulmonary, and pancreatic cancer. This review also discusses technical, pathological, and gastroenterologic aspects and the role of the pathologist and endosonographer in the evaluation of these lesions, as well as the corresponding FNA cytology and differential diagnosis.

EUS-guided FNA immediately after unrevealing transbronchial needle aspiration in the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) are minimally invasive diagnostic approaches to mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Rapid on-site cytopathologic evaluation (ROSE) may facilitate the decision whether to proceed to a second procedure in the same session. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of TBNA with ROSE, combined with the option for immediate EUS-FNA in a single-session approach to mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

METHODS

We prospectively recruited 20 patients (12 men; mean age 66.7 +/- 10.2 years) with mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT who required cytopathologic evaluation. Bronchoscopy was first performed with TBNA and ROSE. If this was unrevealing, EUS-FNA was performed immediately afterward with ROSE. All procedures were performed with the patient under local anesthesia and sedation.

RESULTS

TBNA specimens were deemed adequate on-site in 13 patients, and EUS-FNA was performed in the remaining 7 patients. TBNA with ROSE was falsely negative in one patient. The diagnostic yield for TBNA and EUS-FNA alone was 65% and 86%, respectively. This single-session approach provided a yield of 90%, with no complications. The final diagnoses were 12 non-small-cell lung cancer, two small-cell lung cancer, one metastatic adenocarcinoma, two sarcoidosis, one tuberculosis, one lymphoma, and one with no definitive diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining TBNA with the option for EUS-FNA immediately after unrevealing TBNA gave a yield approaching that of mediastinoscopy and, therefore, may reduce the need for invasive mediastinal sampling. This single-session endoscopic approach was safe, required only local anesthesia and sedation, was convenient, and obviated the need for patients to return for a second procedure.

Diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastatic to mediastinal lymph nodes by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy

We report the case of a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who was diagnosed as having metastasis in mediastinal lymph nodes and successfully underwent systemic chemotherapy without surgery. A 61-year-old male with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with odynophagia. Examination revealed two palpable lymph nodes in the right neck. Pharyngoscopy showed a mass in the left inferior pharyngeal mucosa, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed only chronic gastritis, with no sign of esophageal disease. Chest CT confirmed the presence of a non-enhancing 20-mm soft tissue mass in the paraesophageal area, with increased attenuation compared with the adjacent esophagus. To evaluate this lesion we applied endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA). Two passes were made with a 21-gauge fine needle and the patient tolerated the procedure well, without complications. Cytological findings were compatible with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from a nasopharyngeal tumor, and the clinical stage was determined as T3N2bM1 (stage IVC) because of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. We thus determined the nodal status of a head and neck tumor by means of EUS-FNA. In conclusion, EUS-FNA is a safe and reliable technique for evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and is especially valuable for head and neck tumors with suspected metastasis.

Endoscopic Ultrasound in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer and Negative Mediastinum on Computed Tomography

Despite technical advances in staging non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accurate staging remains a challenge. Endoscopic ultrasound is useful in staging NSCLC when lymphadenopathy is present on a computed tomography (CT), but its role in the absence of lymphadenopathy on CT has not been well defined. Therefore, we sought to determine the clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in staging NSCLC in absence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT. Seventy-six patients with NSCLC with absence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT were enrolled and followed prospectively. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed on sites that were suspicious for metastases. Surgical pathology after thoracotomy was used as the reference standard for assessing accuracy. Sixty-two (86%) patients underwent surgery, and 10 (13%) did not. EUS precluded surgery in 9 patients (12%) and influenced management in 18 (25%) of all patients in this study. EUS detected malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy more frequently in patients with lower lobe and hilar cancers combined compared with upper lobe cancers (p = 0.004). EUS played a significant role in identifying patients with unresectable (N3) NSCLC when adenopathy was not present on CT imaging and appears to be more sensitive in detecting lymph node metastases in lower lobe and hilar NSCLC compared with upper lobe NSCLC.

Is endosonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for sarcoidosis as good as we think?

BACKGROUND

Preliminary data show that endosonography guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may be an accurate method for diagnosing sarcoidosis. However, these data were obtained in a small selected group of patients with a very high pretest probability of sarcoidosis. This retrospective study reports on the use of EUS-FNA in an unselected group of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin.

METHODS

The EUS database of a single tertiary referral centre was reviewed for patients who underwent EUS-FNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin. Clinical presentation and imaging studies of each case were carefully reviewed and the diagnosis "sarcoidosis" or "no sarcoidosis" attributed if possible. The diagnoses were compared with the result of EUS-FNA.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty four patients were investigated. In 35 cases EUS-FNA identified granulomas (group 1); in the other 89 cases (group 2) no granulomas were detected. The definite diagnoses in group 1 were sarcoidosis (n = 25), indefinite (n = 7), no sarcoidosis (n = 3). The definite diagnoses in group 2 were sarcoidosis (n = 3), indefinite (n = 9), no sarcoidosis (n = 77). Of the 77 cases with no sarcoidosis, 44 were diagnosed with other diseases. The other 33 showed non-specific changes in the FNA and sarcoidosis was excluded by negative non-EUS pathology (n = 17) and clinical presentation. The sensitivity and specificity for EUS-FNA were 89% (95% CI 82 to 94) and 96% (95% CI 91 to 98), respectively, after exclusion of the indefinite cases in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an accurate method for diagnosing sarcoidosis in an unselected group of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The reported sensitivity and specificity must be appreciated in the context of the difficult and often incomplete clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

EUS-guided FNA of lung masses adjacent to or abutting the esophagus after unrevealing CT-guided biopsy or bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND

The accuracy, the safety, and the cost-effectiveness of EUS-guided FNA for screening patients with lung cancer for mediastinal metastasis are well established, but the utility of EUS-guided FNA in evaluating lung mass per se has not been investigated. This study retrospectively evaluated experience with EUS-guided FNA of lung mass lesions after unsuccessful attempts by CT-guided or bronchoscopic tissue sampling to establish a tissue diagnosis.

METHODS

A database was searched for all patients who had EUS-guided FNA of lung mass lesions over a 3-year period. The diagnostic yield and safety of EUS-guided FNA were evaluated.

OBSERVATIONS

Eighteen patients (11 men, 7 women) underwent EUS-guided FNA of lung mass lesions adjacent to or abutting the esophagus. The indication for EUS-guided FNA was evaluation of the mediastinum of patients with lung mass of unclear etiology. EUS-guided FNA yielded tissue for diagnosis in 100% of patients: 15 non-small-cell lung cancer, one small-cell lung cancer, two metastatic lung disease. Ten patients had unresectable disease; in 8, the mass was confined to the lung parenchyma. The mean number of needle passes required to establish a diagnosis was two (range 1-6). No complication was encountered (mean follow-up 141 days; range 72-396 days). Five patients underwent curative surgery, and 13 had palliative chemoradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, EUS-guided FNA of lung mass was safe, and it established a diagnosis in all patients with accessible lesions. Given these preliminary data, a prospective evaluation of this new indication for EUS-guided FNA is justified.

The role of EUS for evaluation of mediastinal adenopathy

This is one of a series of statements discussing the utilization of GI endoscopy in common clinical situations. The Standards of Practice Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy prepared this text. In preparing this guideline, a MEDLINE literature search was performed, and additional references were obtained from the bibliographies of the identified articles and from recommendations of expert consultants. When little or no data exist from well-designed prospective trials, emphasis is given to results from large series and reports from recognized experts. Guidelines for appropriate utilization of endoscopy are based on a critical review of the available data and expert consensus. Further controlled clinical studies are needed to clarify aspects of this statement, and revision may be necessary as new data appear. Clinical consideration may justify a course of action at variance to these recommendations.