Fatal haemorrhage following endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration: an unfortunate first

Minimally Invasive Sampling of Mediastinal Lesions

This narrative review examines the existing literature on minimally invasive image-guided sampling techniques of mediastinal lesions gathered from international databases (Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar). Original studies, systematic reviews with meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and case reports published between January 2009 and November 2023 were included. Four authors independently conducted the search to minimize bias, removed duplicates, and selected and evaluated the studies. The review focuses on the recent advancements in mediastinal sampling techniques, including EBUS-TBNA, EUS-FNA and FNB, IFB, and nodal cryobiopsy. The review highlights the advantages of an integrated approach using these techniques for diagnosing and staging mediastinal diseases, which, when used competently, significantly increase diagnostic yield and accuracy.

Impact of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) on Lung Carcinoma Staging: A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, both in terms of new cases and deaths. Almost a fifth of all cancer deaths worldwide are due to lung cancers. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of endobronchial ultrasound-guided trans-bronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for lymph node staging in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study on a total of 427 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA sampling from January 2020 to December 2020 and a total of 610 lymph nodes were sampled. There were 322 men (mean age: 66.3 and range: 20-87) and 105 women (mean age: 65.9 and range: 18-81).

RESULTS

Cytological diagnosis revealed that 55 patients had adenocarcinoma, 28 squamous cell carcinoma, 43 neuroendocrine tumours, 34 non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified, 21 metastasis from extra-thoracic malignancy, 7 atypical cells suspicious for malignancy, and 239 patients had normal or reactive lymph nodes or non-neoplastic diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 91%, 88.3%, 100%, 100% and 89.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

EBUS-TBNA is a safe technique with high accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. It is an excellent option for the diagnostic approach of patients with lymphadenopathy or intra-thoracic lesions as well as for the staging of malignancies.

Surgical treatment for mediastinitis after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: 2 case reports

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Mediastinitis by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

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EBUS-related mediastinitis is treated effectively by surgical drainage.

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Combination of surgery and medical treatment can be very effective in the treatment of inflammation caused by EBUS.

We report two cases of severe mediastinitis accompanied by abscess due to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), that were successfully treated by effective surgical drainage. A 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to chest discomfort and high fever after EBUS-TBNA, and a 54-year-old man was referred due to general weakness, chills, and high fever after the same procedure. Both were diagnosed with EBUS-related mediastinitis and discharged after surgical treatment. Similar to previous reports, the importance of surgical procedures for mediastinitis caused by EBUS-TBNA was suggested. Further research and establishment of guidelines on this matter is necessary.

Major Complications Associated with Conventional Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

OBJECTIVES

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a widely used sampling technique for diagnosis and staging of lesions centered around bronchoscopically accessible airways. We report our single-institution experience of complications associated with conventional TBNA (C-TBNA) performed in 606 consecutive cases.

METHODS

Electronic medical records with bronchoscopy log data of C-TBNAs performed from January 2003 to December 2016 were assessed. All of the cases were included for a review of complications related to the performance of C-TBNA. C-TBNAs were performed in conjunction with other bronchoscopic sampling techniques such as brush, biopsy, and wash in most cases. Complications ascribed to C-TBNA only were included for this analysis and review.

RESULTS

Infectious complications following the performance of TBNA are related to the inoculation of oropharyngeal bacteria from the airway lumen into the sterile mediastinal, pericardial, or pleural space.

CONCLUSIONS

Complications related to TBNA are underappreciated mainly because of the lack of reporting and awareness. These findings should lead to heightened awareness and precaution in all patients undergoing TBNA, and extra vigilance and monitoring during and after the procedure in those receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies.

Esophageal ultrasound with ultrasound bronchoscope (EUS-B) guided transvascular needle aspiration (TVNA)

We have described a 67-year-old man, diagnosed to have adenocarcinoma of lung by transvascular approach with esophageal ultrasound using ultrasound bronchoscope (EUS-B). To the best of our knowledge this is the first case where EUS-B has been used for transvascular fine needle aspiration cytology to diagnose lung carcinoma.

The Feasibility of EBUS-Guided TBNA Through the Pulmonary Artery in Highly Selected Patients

BACKGROUND

The use of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for diagnosis and staging of benign and malignant thoracic disease has rapidly evolved into the standard of care. The lymph node stations that can be reached by EBUS and EUS are substantially more than those that can be accessed by mediastinoscopy. In rare cases, the clinician is faced with extraordinary circumstances in which a minimally invasive approach to the lymph nodes in station 5 is required. We present our findings in 10 cases, at 7 different institutions, where EBUS was instrumental in reaching a diagnosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected 10 cases where EBUS-TBNA was performed through the pulmonary artery in an attempt to reach the territory of lymph node station 5. All cases were performed by experienced interventional pulmonologists at 7 tertiary care centers in the United States and Canada. We describe the patients' demographics, comorbidities, complications, and cytopathology.

RESULTS

A definitive diagnosis was reached in 9 of the 10 patients. One case showed atypical cells and required a confirmatory Chamberlain procedure. No complications occurred as a result of careful transpulmonary artery needle aspiration.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter case series suggests that transpulmonary artery needle aspiration guided by EBUS is possible and safe in the hands of experienced interventional pulmonologists. It is important to recognize that this is not an alternative to left VATS or Chamberlain procedure, but a last resort procedure.

Teaching conventional transbronchial needle aspiration. A continuum

Proponents of the endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) propose that in this era of EBUS-TBNA, training for conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) should be abandoned. The authors of this editorial provide the opposing view. C-TBNA has a short and a steep learning curve and adds to the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in a cost-effective fashion. Considering its simplicity, availability, affordability, safety, and several unique indications, C-TBNA continues to contribute to the welfare of patients worldwide. It should remain as an integral part of pulmonary fellowship training programs.