Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with or without previous malignancy: EUS-FNA-based differential cytodiagnosis in 153 patients

Linear endoscopic ultrasound: Current uses and future perspectives in mediastinal examination

This editorial elaborates on the current and future applications of linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic modality for various anatomical regions. The scope of endosonographic assessment is broad and, among other factors, allows for the evaluation of the mediastinal anatomy and related pathologies, such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and the staging of central malignant lung lesions. Moreover, EUS assessment has proven more accurate in detecting small lesions missed by standard imaging examinations, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. We focus on its current uses in the mediastinum, including lung and esophageal cancer staging, as well as evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy and submucosal lesions. The editorial also explores future perspectives of EUS in mediastinal examination, including ultrasound-guided therapies, artificial intelligence integration, advancements in mediastinal modalities, and improved diagnostic approaches for various mediastinal lesions.

Differential diagnosis of lymphoma with 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with fever of unknown origin accompanied by lymphadenopathy

PURPOSE

To investigate the value of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in the differential diagnosis of lymphoma in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) accompanied by lymphadenopathy and to develop a simple scoring system to distinguish lymphoma from other etiologies.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on patients with classic FUO accompanied by lymphadenopathy. After standard diagnostic procedures, including PET/CT scan and lymph-node biopsy, 163 patients were enrolled and divided into lymphoma and benign groups according to the etiology. The diagnostic utility of PET/CT imaging was evaluated, and beneficial parameters that could improve diagnostic effectiveness were identified.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET/CT in diagnosing lymphoma in patients with FUO accompanied by lymphadenopathy were 81.0, 47.6, 59.3, and 72.7%, respectively. The lymphoma prediction model combining high SUVmax of the "hottest" lesion, high SUVmax of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, old age, low platelet count, and low ESR had an area under the curve of 0.93 (0.89-0.97), a sensitivity of 84.8%, a specificity of 92.9%, a PPV of 91.8%, and an NPV of 86.7%. There was a lower probability of lymphoma for patients with a score < 4 points.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT scans show moderate sensitivity and low specificity in diagnosing lymphoma in patients with FUO accompanied by lymphadenopathy. The scoring system based on PET/CT and clinical parameters performs well in differentiating lymphoma and benign causes and can be used as a reliable noninvasive tool.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

This study on FUO was registered on http://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov on January 14, 2014, with registration number NCT02035670.

The Role of Thoracic Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Diseases of the Chest Wall, the Mediastinum, and the Diaphragm-Narrative Review and Pictorial Essay

The diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound extend far beyond the evaluation of the pleural space and lungs. Sonographic evaluation of the chest wall is a classic extension of the clinical examination of visible, palpable, or dolent findings. Unclear mass lesions of the chest wall can be differentiated accurately and with low risk by additional techniques such as color Doppler imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and, in particular, ultrasound-guided biopsy. For imaging of mediastinal pathologies, ultrasound has only a complementary function but is valuable for guidance of percutaneous biopsies of malignant masses. In emergency medicine, ultrasound can verify and support correct positioning of endotracheal tubes. Diaphragmatic ultrasound benefits from the real-time nature of sonographic imaging and is becoming increasingly important for the assessment of diaphragmatic function in long-term ventilated patients. The clinical role of thoracic ultrasound is reviewed in a combination of narrative review and pictorial essay.

Diagnostic accuracy and clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT)-positive mediastinal lymphadenopathies in patients with thoracic or extra-thoracic malignancies

BACKGROUND

The high sensitivity of PET-CT can identify hypermetabolic mediastinal adenopathies during cancer management, but specificity is low and a biopsy is sometimes required to eliminate benign adenopathies.

METHODS

This prospective diagnostic accuracy study included patients with hypermetabolic mediastinal lymphadenopathies revealed on PET-CT during either the initial management of a cancer, treatment evaluation, or monitoring. All patients underwent EUS-FNA. Diagnoses of malignancy based on cytological analysis following EUS-FNA were compared with clinical and radiological follow-up information. The treatment strategy decided before the results of the EUS-FNA pathology reports (Multidisciplinary Team Meeting [MTM-1]) was recorded and compared to the treatment strategy decided once pathological data from EUS-FNA were available (MTM-2).

MAIN FINDINGS

Between 2013 and 2018, 75 patients were included with 47 eligible and evaluable patients. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of EUS-FNA were 93%, 100%, 100% and 90%, respectively. The concordance value between the therapeutic strategies determined for MTM-1 and MTM-2 was 44.7%. There were no significant differences in the intensity of fixation on PET-CT between malignant and benign lesions.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic accuracy of the minimally invasive EUS-FNA procedure is sufficiently robust to avoid the need for diagnostic surgery. The combination of PET-CT and EUS-FNA may alter the therapeutic strategy that would be considered after PET-CT alone.

REGISTRATION

NCT01892501.

Practical approach to linear EUS examination of the mediastinum

EUS has become a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic modality for many anatomical regions. The extent of endosonographic assessment is wide, and among others, allows for the evaluation of the mediastinal anatomy and related pathologies such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and staging of central malignant lung lesions. Moreover, EUS assessment has proved more accurate in detecting small lesions missed by standard imaging examinations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance. Endosonographically, various mediastinal anatomical landmarks and stations can be visualized by transesophageal scanning, thus providing arranged systematic examination of the mediastinum. In addition, the correct position during the examination is crucial for EUS-guided procedures such as tissue sampling and drainage of mediastinal abscesses. The evolution of EUS-guided diagnostic and interventional procedures has contributed to the increasing importance of understanding the mediastinal anatomy during the EUS examination.

Transcutaneous B-mode ultrasound (TUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) pattern of mediastinal tumors: a pictorial essay

Sound reflection from bony structures and from air-filled lung parenchyma limits transcutaneous B-mode thoracic ultrasound of the mediastinum. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax are the primary overview imaging modalities for mediastinal pathologies. However, pathological processes originating from the mediastinum can be sonographically visualized and evaluated in the presence of displacing or infiltrative growth. The aim of this pictorial essay is to demonstrate contrast-enhanced ultrasound as a method complementing B-mode ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of mediastinal tumors, taking into account the clinical background. The characteristic perfusion patterns of mediastinal pathology are presented.

High Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration in Malignant Lymph Nodes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is increasingly being used for diagnosing lymphadenopathy. We aim to systematically review the accuracy of EUS-FNA in differentiating benign and malignant mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes (LNs).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed on multiple electronic databases through February 2020. A random or fixed effect model generated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio (LR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of EUS-FNA. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were used to explore sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies involving 2753 patients with 2833 LNs were included. In the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant LNs, EUS-FNA had a pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive LR, and negative LR of 87% (95% confidence interval [CI] 86-90%), 100% (95% CI 99-100%), 68.98 (95% CI 42.10-113.02), and 0.14 (95% CI 0.11-0.17), respectively. The pooled rate of adverse events associated with EUS-FNA was 1.57% (95% CI 1.06-2.24%). The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9912. EUS-FNA performed in mediastinal LNs gained a sensitivity of 85% (95% CI 81-88%), while in abdominal LNs, it reached 87% (95% CI 82-91%). The sensitivity of the subgroup with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was 91% (95% CI 89-93%), while non-ROSE was 85% (95% CI 82-87%).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is a sensitive, highly specific, and safe method for distinguishing benign and malignant mediastinal or abdominal LNs. However, the sensitivity of EUS-FNA still varies significantly among different centers.

Performance measures for ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and United European Gastroenterology present a short list of key performance measures for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We recommend that endoscopy services across Europe adopt the following seven key and one minor performance measures for EUS and ERCP, for measurement and evaluation in daily practice at center and endoscopist level: 1: Adequate antibiotic prophylaxis before ERCP (key performance measure, at least 90 %); 2: Antibiotic prophylaxis before EUS-guided puncture of cystic lesions (key performance measure, at least 95 %); 3: Bile duct cannulation rate (key performance measure, at least 90 %); 4: Tissue sampling during EUS (key performance measure, at least 85 %); 5: Appropriate stent placement in patients with biliary obstruction below the hilum (key performance measure, at least 95 %); 6: Bile duct stone extraction (key performance measure, at least 90 %); 7: Post-ERCP pancreatitis (key performance measure, less than 10 %). 8: Adequate documentation of EUS landmarks (minor performance measure, at least 90 %).This present list of quality performance measures for ERCP and EUS recommended by ESGE should not be considered to be exhaustive: it might be extended in future to address further clinical and scientific issues.

Performance measures for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound: A European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and United European Gastroenterology present a short list of key performance measures for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We recommend that endoscopy services across Europe adopt the following seven key and one minor performance measures for EUS and ERCP, for measurement and evaluation in daily practice at centre and endoscopist level: 1 Adequate antibiotic prophylaxis before ERCP (key performance measure, at least 90%); 2 antibiotic prophylaxis before EUS-guided puncture of cystic lesions (key performance measure, at least 95%); 3 bile duct cannulation rate (key performance measure, at least 90%); 4 tissue sampling during EUS (key performance measure, at least 85%); 5 appropriate stent placement in patients with biliary obstruction below the hilum (key performance measure, at least 95%); 6 bile duct stone extraction (key performance measure, at least 90%); 7 post-ERCP pancreatitis (key performance measure, less than 10%); and 8 adequate documentation of EUS landmarks (minor performance measure, at least 90%). This present list of quality performance measures for ERCP and EUS recommended by the ESGE should not be considered to be exhaustive; it might be extended in future to address further clinical and scientific issues.

Malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy detected by endoscopic ultrasound and guided fine needle aspiration in patients with resectable pancreaticobiliary cancer

BACKGROUND

Resection surgery for pancreaticobiliary malignancies carries significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, preoperative assessment to exclude unresectable disease is mandatory. CT abdomen is the primary modality for staging of pancreaticobiliary cancers. However, some patients have malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MML), which may be detected on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) but not on CT scan.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 75 consecutive patients (median age 54 years: 44 men) with a diagnosis of resectable pancreaticobiliary cancer (carcinoma gallbladder, carcinoma pancreas, cholangiocarcinoma, or periampullary carcinoma) for the presence of MML using EUS by an experienced endosonographer. If a lymph node had one or more features suggestive of malignancy, i.e. size exceeding 1 cm, hypoechoic appearance, a round shape, and regular margins, it was subjected to EUS-FNA.

RESULTS

In seven (9.3%; 95% confidence intervals: 3.8% to 18.2%) of the 75 patients, EUS revealed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. The location of these lymph nodes was subcarinal in three, paraesophageal in two, and paratracheal in one patient; another patient had lymph nodes at two sites, i.e. the subcarinal and aortopulmonary window. In four of these seven patients, FNA documented the presence of MML. The overall rate of pathologically proven MML was 4/75 (5.3%; 95% CI [1.4% to 13%]).

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA diagnosed MML in 5.3% of patients with pancreaticobiliary cancer. It may be useful to consider EUS assessment in patients with otherwise resectable pancreaticobiliary malignancy.

Severe Infectious Complications after Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Suspected Mediastinal Duplication Cysts: A Case Series

Background and Study Aims

The role of cyst cytology to diagnose mediastinal duplication cysts remains controversial. Since endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of duplication cysts has been considered as safe so far, there are only a few case reports of infections following FNA.

Case Summary

We report a case series of all patients at our institution undergoing EUS evaluation for suspected mediastinal duplication cysts (n = 5) in the last 15 years. The mediastinal lesion in 4 patients did not feature typical EUS features for duplication cysts, wherefore we did perform EUS-guided FNA in order to rule out malignancy. In 3 out of 4 patients, a duplication cyst was confirmed. The fourth lesion turned out to be a sarcoma. All 4 patients developed severe FNA-induced cyst infection causing mediastinitis and the need for surgical debridement. Despite an immediate review of the FNA by the on-site cytopathologist with establishing the diagnosis of a duplication cyst, peri-interventional broad-spectrum antibiotics could not prevent severe infections of the lesions.

Conclusions

Given the potentially high rate of infectious complications, we advocate a very restrictive indication for diagnostic FNA in mediastinal masses. Yet, in unclear cases, FNA might be indispensable despite the potential adverse events in order to rule out hypoechogenic, mediastinal malignancy.

Invasive diagnostic techniques in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias

Fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (f-ILDs) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders in which the aetiology may be identified or, not infrequently, remain unknown. Establishing a correct diagnosis of a distinct f-ILD requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating clinical profile, physiological and laboratory data, radiological appearance and, when appropriate, histological findings. Surgical lung biopsy is still considered the most important diagnostic tool as it is able to provide lung samples large enough for identification of complex patterns such as usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis. However, this procedure is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. Bronchoalveolar lavage is still a popular diagnostic tool allowing identification of alternative diagnoses in patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) when an increase in lymphocytes is detected. Conventional transbronchial lung biopsy has a very low sensitivity in detecting the UIP pattern and its role in this clinical-radiological context is marginal. The introduction of less invasive methods such as transbronchial cryobiopsy show great promise to clinical practice as they can be used to obtain samples large enough to morphologically support a diagnosis of IPF or other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, along with fewer complications. Recent advances in the field suggest that less invasive methods of lung sampling, without significant side effects, in combination with other diagnostic methods could replace the need for surgical lung biopsy in the future. Indeed, these new multidisciplinary procedures may become the main diagnostic work-up method for patients with suspected idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

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.

Ultrasound techniques in the evaluation of the mediastinum, part 2: mediastinal lymph node anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques, clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography

Ultrasound imaging has gained importance in pulmonary medicine over the last decades including conventional transcutaneous ultrasound (TUS), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Mediastinal lymph node (MLN) staging affects the management of patients with both operable and inoperable lung cancer (e.g., surgery vs. combined chemoradiation therapy). Tissue sampling is often indicated for accurate nodal staging. Recent international lung cancer staging guidelines clearly state that endosonography should be the initial tissue sampling test over surgical staging. Mediastinal nodes can be sampled from the airways [endobronchial ultrasound combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)] or the esophagus [endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]. EBUS and EUS have a complementary diagnostic yield and in combination virtually all MLNs can be biopsied. Additionally endosonography has an excellent yield in assessing granulomas in patients suspected of sarcoidosis. The aim of this review in two integrative parts is to discuss the current role and future perspectives of all ultrasound techniques available for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinal staging of lung cancer. A specific emphasis will be on learning mediastinal endosonography. Part 1 deals with an introduction into ultrasound techniques, MLN anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques and part 2 with the clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography.

Ultrasound techniques in the evaluation of the mediastinum, part I: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transcutaneous mediastinal ultrasound (TMUS), introduction into ultrasound techniques

Ultrasound imaging has gained importance in pulmonary medicine over the last decades including conventional transcutaneous ultrasound (TUS), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Mediastinal lymph node staging affects the management of patients with both operable and inoperable lung cancer (e.g., surgery vs. combined chemoradiation therapy). Tissue sampling is often indicated for accurate nodal staging. Recent international lung cancer staging guidelines clearly state that endosonography (EUS and EBUS) should be the initial tissue sampling test over surgical staging. Mediastinal nodes can be sampled from the airways [EBUS combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)] or the esophagus [EUS fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]. EBUS and EUS have a complementary diagnostic yield and in combination virtually all mediastinal lymph nodes can be biopsied. Additionally endosonography has an excellent yield in assessing granulomas in patients suspected of sarcoidosis. The aim of this review, in two integrative parts, is to discuss the current role and future perspectives of all ultrasound techniques available for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinal staging of lung cancer. A specific emphasis will be on learning mediastinal endosonography. Part I is dealing with an introduction into ultrasound techniques, mediastinal lymph node anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques and part II with the clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography.

Can endoscopic ultrasound distinguish between mediastinal benign lymph nodes and those involved by sarcoidosis, lymphoma, or metastasis?

BACKGROUND

Lymph nodes (LNs) echofeatures on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and concurrent fine needle aspiration (FNA) are alternatives to highly invasive approaches for etiologic diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLAD).

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy of LNs echofeatures and FNA via EUS to distinguish benign LNs from LNs involved by sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and metastasis in non-lung cancer patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent EUS-FNA for MLAD was performed. Echofeatures of LNs including echogenicity, margins, shape, and LN size were recorded. Final diagnosis was made based on surgical sampling or clinical diagnosis with long-term follow-up. Only patients diagnosed as benign MLAD, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, and metastasis included. Diagnostic value of echofeatures and FNA was evaluated.

RESULTS

Included were 162 patients with final diagnosis of benign (68), sarcoidosis (33), lymphoma (20), and metastasis (41). The median LN along axis in the benign group [20.5 mm (6-76)] was significantly shorter than in the metastasis [28 mm (9-82)] and sarcoidosis [27 mm (17-50)] groups (p < 0.05). The median LN short axis in the benign group [11 mm (2-50)] was significantly shorter than in the metastasis [17 mm (5-44)] and lymphoma [16 mm (7-47)] groups (p < 0.05). No other echofeatures showed a discriminant value among the groups. When performing FNA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of EUS-FNA were 73.7, 100, 100, 72.2, and 84.4 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although benign MLAD tend to be smaller than other etiologies, echofeatures of LNs are not reliable etiologic diagnostic approach to MLAD. Therefore, FNA is suggested when feasible. However, due to relatively low sensitivity, LNs with benign FNA results should be subjected to further work-up if they are clinically suspicious.

Endoscopic ultrasound - fine needle aspiration of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose avid lymph nodes seen on positron emission tomography- computed tomography -what looks like cancer may not always be so

BACKGROUND

Patients suffering from malignancies often undergo serial positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET-CT) scans, using 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) for diagnosis and follow up. This principle may also be applied to benign conditions as inflammatory cells take up increased amounts of FDG as well. The aim of our study was to retrospectively review the cytological diagnoses made at EUS-FNA of FDG-avid PET-CT lesions in patients with a history of cancer and to determine whether the cause of FDG-avidity was neoplastic or benign.

METHODS

We used the endoscopy database to extract clinical information on all patients with malignancies who underwent EUS-FNA to obtain tissue from FDG-avid nodes seen on PET-CT at our institution from 2009 - 2012. All patients who were referred for EUS-FNA after their scans were included. Those who had contraindications to endoscopic procedures were excluded.

RESULTS

The most common location of positive lymph nodes was the subcarinal region (46%). A definitive diagnosis was obtained in 87.8% cases, of which 51.2% had a diagnosis of malignancy confirmed on cytology, while 36.5% were benign. Out of these, 29% had granulomatous inflammation. In 12.2% of cases no definitive diagnosis was obtained.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that great caution should be exercised when evaluating FDG-avid PET-CT nodes in patients with known malignant disease, as a significant proportion of these lesions may be benign, particularly in geographic locations with a high background prevalence of granulomatous inflammation.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration needles: which one and in what situation?

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is increasingly used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for pancreatic and other gastrointestinal disorders. Several factors affect the outcome of EUS-FNA, one of which is needle size. The decision to use a specific needle depends on factors including location, consistency, and type of the lesion; presence of onsite cytopathologist; and need for additional tissue procurement for histology. This review provides a balanced perspective on the use of different needle sizes available, highlighting the differences among them and potential niche applications of each to maximize diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA.

[Metastatic thoracic lymph node carcinoma from extra-thoracic malignancy or from unknown primary site]

Malignant mediastinal lymph nodes without pulmonary disease may be lymphomatous or the metastases from thoracic or extrathoracic malignancy. More rarely, metastatic lymph nodes are without primary site. Surgery is generally diagnostic, restricted to confirming the metastatic process, because of too numerous and disseminated or unresectable lymph nodes. Radical surgery consisting in lymphadenectomy can be effective in case of mediastinal lymph node malignancy without other extra- and intrathoracic disease. We observed in our experience and in several case reports long-term good results in such cases. We suggest that including surgery in the multimodality treatment of mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes may be advisable in selected patients.

Concordance of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration diagnosis with the final diagnosis in subepithelial lesions

Background/Aims

In this study we aimed to determine the rate of concordance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis with the final diagnosis obtained by surgery or endoscopic resection and follow-up in upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions.

Methods

We retrospectively studied patients with subepithelial lesions who underwent EUS at our center from 2007 to 2011.

Results

We had a final diagnosis in 67 patients (mean age±SD, 51.23±12.48 years; 23 [34.3%] female, 44 [65.6%] male). EUS-FNA was performed in all of the patients. On-site pathology was not performed. In nine of the patients, the obtained material which was obtained was insufficient. The cytologic examination was benign in 31 and malignant in 27 of the patients. Based on the final diagnosis, the EUS-FNA had a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 100%, and a diagnostic yield of 85%.

Conclusions

The diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA, in the absence of the on-site cytopathologist, is feasible for the diagnosis of subepithelial lesions of the upper gastrointestinal system.

Rescue Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Trucut Biopsy Following Suboptimal EUS-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration for Mediastinal Lesions

Background/Aims

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and Trucut biopsy (TCB) are sensitive techniques for diagnosing mediastinal lesions, but it is unclear how either one or both should be used to obtain a pathologic diagnosis. The objective of our study was to evaluate whether EUS-TCB impacts the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions after the initial on-site review of EUS-FNA specimen suggests a suboptimal result.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive patients with mediastinal lesions who underwent EUS-TCB during the same procedure if the initial EUS-FNA demonstrated an inadequate FNA sample or suggested that histopathology was required for diagnosis. Diagnostic accuracies between procedures were compared as the main outcome.

Results

Twenty-seven patients (14 men; median age, 56 years; range, 19 to 82 years) underwent EUS-FNA and EUS-TCB to evaluate a mediastinal lymphadenopathy or mass (n=17), to determine the cancer stage (n=3) or to exclude tumor recurrence or metastasis (n=7). The overall diagnostic accuracies of EUS-FNA and EUS-TCB were 78% and 67%, respectively (p=0.375). The combined diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA plus EUS-TCB was 82%. In six patients with nondiagnostic EUS-FNA, EUS-TCB provided a final diagnosis in one patient (17%).

Conclusions

In the current series of patients with mediastinal masses or adenopathy, the administration of EUS-TCB following suboptimal results for the on-site cytology review did not increase the diagnostic yield.

The utility of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in mediastinal or hilar lymph node evaluation in extrathoracic malignancy: Benign or malignant?

OBJECTIVE

Newly arising enlarged or hypermetabolic mediastinal/hilar lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with previously diagnosed extrathoracic malignancies raise suspicion of metastasis. Relatively high proportion of these LNs is due to a benign condition. We aimed to determine frequency of malignant LNs and role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for clarification of the origin of suspicious LNs in these patients.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with a known extrathoracic malignancy and suspected hilar/mediastinal LN were included in this prospective study. Computed tomography (CT) of thorax and positron emission tomography-CT of all patients were taken. LNs with short axis >1 cm at CT of thorax and SUV ≥ 2.5 were accepted suspicious for malignancy. All patients underwent EBUS-TBNA for pathological verification of LNs. Patients with benign diagnosis either underwent invasive procedures or were followed up. The results were evaluated for frequency of malignant hilar/mediastinal LNs and sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic values of EBUS-TBNA.

RESULTS

A total of 48 cases with a mean age of 57.4±11.6 were included. All cases had the diagnosis of an extrathoracic malignancy. 78 LNs were aspirated with EBUS-TBNA in 48 cases (1.62 LNs/patient). The mean short axis of aspirated LNs was 1.51±0.63. Results of EBUS-TBNA revealed malignancy in 15 cases (31.2%), tuberculosis in six cases (12.5%), sarcoidosis in four cases (8.3%), and reactive adenitis in 23 cases (48%). The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of EBUS-TBNA for malignancy were 83.3%, 100%, and 90.9%, respectively. When both benign and malignant diseases were considered, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA were 89.2%, 100%, 86.9%, and 93.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio of benign LNs in patients with extrathoracic malignancies is relatively high. EBUS-TBNA is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective method for clarification of intrathoracic LNs.

[Role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) for the evaluation of mediastinal adenopathy]

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy may be detected by CT-scan or positron emission tomography. Malignant (e.g, lung cancer, metastatic cancer, lymphoma), infectious (e.g, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis), and systemic processes (e.g, sarcoidosis) can cause mediastinal adenopathy. In the posterior and inferior mediastinum, endoscopic ultrasound visualizes and directs transesophageal fine needle aspiration of adenopathy. In the anterior mediastinum, endobronchial ultrasound visualizes and directs transbronchial fine needle aspiration of adenopathy. We discuss the role of EUS and EBUS in the evaluation of mediastinal adenopathy according to their anatomical localization.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided elastography in the nodal staging of oesophageal cancer

AIM: To assess quantitative endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided elastography in the nodal staging of oesophago-gastric cancers.

METHODS: This was a single tertiary centre study assessing 50 patients with established oesophago-gastric cancer undergoing EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of lymph nodes between July 2007 and July 2009. EUS-guided elastography of lymph nodes was performed before EUS-FNAB. Standard EUS characteristics were also described. Cytological determination of whether a lymph node was malignant or benign was used as the gold standard for this study. Comparisons of elastography and standard EUS characteristics were made between the cytologically benign and malignant nodes. The main outcome measure was the accuracy of elastography in differentiating between benign and malignant lymph nodes in oesophageal cancers.

RESULTS: EUS elastography and FNAB were performed on 53 lymph nodes. Cytological malignancy was found in 23 nodes, one was indeterminate, one was found to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and 25 of the nodes were negative for malignancy. On 3 occasions insufficient material was obtained for analysis. The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve for elastography strain ratio was 0.87 (P < 0.0001). Elastography strain ratio had a sensitivity 83%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 95%, and negative predictive value 86% for distinguishing between malignant and benign nodes. The overall accuracy of elastography strain ratio was 90%. Elastography was more sensitive and specific in determining malignant nodal disease than standard EUS criteria.

CONCLUSION: EUS elastography is a promising modality that may complement standard EUS and help guide EUS-FNAB during staging of upper gastrointestinal tract 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.

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

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

Suspected oesophageal cancer in a 33 year old lady

A previously healthy 33 year old lady presented with acute dysphagia with endoscopic and CT features of oesophageal carcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) revealed a large subcarinal lymph node compressing at the mid-oesophagus. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) showed a single well-formed epithelioid granuloma with no evidence of malignancy. Molecular analysis showed the aspirate to be positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She continues to improve with standard anti-TB medication without surgery.This is a rare case of acute dysphagia secondary to primary tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy. EUS and FNA have completely altered the clinical management of this lady.

Diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculosis by using EUS-guided needle sampling in a geographic region with an intermediate tuberculosis burden

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) or trucut biopsy (TCB) is indispensible in the diagnosis of mediastinal malignancies. Less is known, however, about the usefulness of EUS-guided sampling for nonmalignant, mediastinal tuberculosis (TB), despite the increase in the incidence of TB.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic yields of EUS-FNA/TCB in patients with mediastinal TB.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral hospital in a geographic region with an intermediate TB burden.

PATIENTS

This study involved 24 consecutive patients with mediastinal TB, who underwent EUS-FNA/TCB from July 2005 to September 2008.

INTERVENTION

EUS-FNA/TCB.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Technical success and diagnostic yields of EUS-FNA/TCB.

RESULTS

Mediastinal lesions (mean diameter, 28.6 mm; range 17.0-49.5 mm) were targeted by using 22-gauge-needle FNA in 10 patients and 19-gauge-needle TCB in 14 patients. Before EUS, only 10 of the 24 patients had a presumptive diagnosis of mediastinal TB, whereas 11 patients were suspected of having malignancies. Six patients showed mass-like lung parenchymal lesions mimicking lung cancer, and 7 patients had a history of malignancy. Pathologic examination showed granulomatous inflammation in 16 patients (66.7%), including 10 patients with caseating granulomas. Positive microbiologic results were obtained in 10 patients (41.7%): 3 by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, 5 by Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture, and 5 by TB polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. EUS-FNA/TCB confirmed mediastinal TB in 20 of the 24 patients and directed 11 patients clinically suspected of having malignancies to anti-TB treatment. The diagnostic yields of FNA and TCB were similar (90.0% vs 78.6%).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design in a tertiary-care referral hospital.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA/TCB is sufficiently useful to confirm mediastinal TB and can exclude suspected malignancies in TB patients.

Flexible bronchoscopy and its role in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer

Technologic advances in bronchoscopy continue to improve the ability to perform minimally invasive, accurate evaluations of the tracheobronchial tree and to perform an ever-increasing array of diagnostic, staging, therapeutic, and palliative interventions. The role of both old and new diagnostic bronchoscopy will continue to evolve as further improvements are made in bronchoscopes, accessory equipment, and imaging technologies. The major challenge is the adoption of the many new bronchoscopic techniques into routine clinical practice. There is a need for well-designed studies to delineate the appropriate use of these interventions and to better define their limitations and cost effectiveness.

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.

[Isolated malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy]

Mediastinal adenopathies without pulmonary disease may be benign, lymphomatous or the metastases from intra- or extrathoracic malignancy or more rarely metastases with unknown primary site. We observed 507 patients with isolated mediastinal adenopathies: benign, lymphomatous and metastatic disease represented 41.4% (210/507), 26.8% (136/507), 31.8% (161/507) of them, respectively. Management of the latter was the most challenging. Surgery was generally diagnostic, restricted to confirming the metastatic process, because of too numerous and disseminated or unresectable lymph nodes in 84% of patients (135/161). However, radical surgery consisting in lymphadenectomy proved effective in case of mediastinal lymph node malignancy without other extra- and intrathoracic disease. We observed long-term good results in such cases, which also was demonstrated by case reports in the literature. We suggest that including surgery in the multimodality treatment of mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes may be advisable in selected patients.

Clinical staging of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

Tumors of the esophagogastric junction are among the most frequent and cause lethal cancers. Patients often do not present until late in the disease when the tumor is sufficiently large to cause obstruction or invasion of the adjacent structures, and thus becomes symptomatic. Preoperative staging is critical to select those patients whose disease is still locally confined for curative surgery. Ideally, clinical staging should accurately predict tumor invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases. Upper endoscopy establishes the tumor diagnosis by multiple biopsies and defines the tumor type (Siewert I-III), based on tumor localization in relation to the endoscopic cardia. Preoperative TNM staging has a strong impact on treatment strategy. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) determines the T category, and to a lesser extent, the presence of lymph node metastases. Multislice Computed Tomography (CT) and 18Fluorode-ocx-glucose Positron Emission Computed Tomography (18FDG-PET-CT) provide further information, especially about systemic metastases. Diagnostic laparascopy is suggested in advanced (CT3/4) Siewert type II-III tumors to exclude peritoneal carcinomatosis. This chapter summarizes current staging modalities and their accuracy in clinical practice.

First endoscopic procedure for diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymphadenopathy

AIM: To compare a first diagnostic procedure of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) with selection of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy on computed tomography (CT), who required cytopathological diagnosis, were recruited. The first 34 underwent a sequential approach in which TBNA was performed first, followed by EUS-FNA if TBNA was unrevealing. The next 34 underwent a selective approach where either TBNA or EUS-FNA was selected as the first procedure based on the CT findings.

RESULTS: The diagnostic yield of TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure in the sequential approach was 62%. In the selective approach, the diagnostic yield of the first procedure was 71%. There was no significant difference in the overall diagnostic yield, but there were significantly fewer combined procedures with the selective approach.

CONCLUSION: Selecting either EUS-FNA or TBNA as the first diagnostic procedure achieved a comparable diagnostic yield with significantly fewer procedures than performing TBNA first in all patients.

Intrathoracic lymph node metastases from extrathoracic carcinoma: the place for surgery

BACKGROUND

Intrathoracic hilar or mediastinal lymph node metastases (HMLNMs) of extrathoracic carcinomas are infrequent. Their treatment strategy is not established and their prognosis poorly known. We reviewed the place of surgical intervention in their management.

METHODS

Among 565 patients with mediastinal lymph node enlargement, 37 had a history of extrathoracic carcinoma. The enlargement consisted in HMLNMs in 26 (15 men, 11 women), with a mean age of 57.6 (range 19-78) years. Surgical procedures were reviewed.

RESULTS

Diagnostic procedures, comprising mediastinoscopy in 9, anterior mediastinotomy in 2, and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 4, were performed mainly because of unresectability due to diffuse and bilateral HMLNMs. Cancer location was breast in 6, kidney or prostate in 2 each, and bladder, rectum, testis, melanoma, and larynx in 1 each. Median survival was 21 months. Resection was performed in 11 patients, comprising posterolateral thoracotomy in 6, muscle sparing thoracotomy in 2, and VATS in 3. Seventeen involved LN stations were removed; of these, primary were kidney in 3, testis or thyroid in 2 each, and larynx, nasopharynx, and intestinum in 1 each. Five-year survival was 41.6% (median, 45 months).

CONCLUSIONS

HMLNMs of extrathoracic carcinoma may be isolated, probably in the context of a particular lymphatic mode of spread. Our experience demonstrates that operation is mainly diagnostic but resection may safely achieve local control of the disease and deserves being advocated in patients with isolated and resectable HMLNMs.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration in patients with lymphadenopathy suspected of recurrent malignancy after curative treatment

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of lymphadenopathy after treatment of malignancy is sometimes difficult, especially in patients whose treatment was deemed curative and without local recurrence or those who have increased serum levels of related tumor markers. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) as a diagnostic tool in patients with lymphadenopathy after curative treatment of malignancy.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with mediastinal, intraabdominal, or pelvic lymphadenopathy after curative treatment of malignancy who were referred to our hospital between October 2003 and September 2007 were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were included. The lymph nodes were located at the mediastinum in 22 patients, intraabdomen in 38 patients, and intrapelvis in 2 patients. From the pathological findings of the FNA sample, 31 patients (50%) were confirmed to have recurrence of the prior malignancy, and 9 patients (15%) were diagnosed as having a different new malignancy. The remaining 22 patients (35%) were shown to have no recurrence or no other malignancies. However, 1 of them was later diagnosed with recurrence by open laparotomy. The overall sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of the EUS-FNA were 97%, 100%, 98%, 100%, and 97%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphadenopathy after treatment of malignancy is not a definitive sign of recurrence. Therefore, pathological sampling and diagnosis are essential for determining the appropriate treatment. For this purpose, EUS-FNA is a safe, convenient, and minimally invasive procedure with high diagnostic value.

Economic analysis of combined endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound in the evaluation of patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. This study evaluated the costs of alternative diagnostic evaluations for patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Researchers used a cost-minimization model to compare various diagnostic approaches in the evaluation of patients with NSCLC. It was less expensive to use an initial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) to detect a mediastinal lymph node metastasis ($18,603 per patient), compared with combined EUS FNA and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) with FNA ($18,753). The results were sensitive to the prevalence of malignant mediastinal lymph nodes; EUS FNA remained least costly, if the probability of nodal metastases was <32.9%, as would occur in a patient without abnormal lymph nodes on computed tomography (CT). While EUS FNA combined with EBUS FNA was the most economical approach, if the rate of nodal metastases was higher, as would be the case in patients with abnormal lymph nodes on CT. Both of these strategies were less costly than bronchoscopy or mediastinoscopy. The pre-test probability of nodal metastases can determine the most cost-effective testing strategy for evaluation of a patient with NSCLC. Pre-procedure CT may be helpful in assessing probability of mediastinal nodal metastases.

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.

A new alternative for a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: EUS-guided creation of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (with video)

BACKGROUND

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) is an effective treatment for portal hypertension and its associated complications. EUS-guided creation of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IPSS) may become a useful alternative to conventional TIPSS.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of EUS-guided IPSS creation in a live porcine model.

SETTING

Acute and survival experiments in 50-kg pigs.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS

Under linear-array EUS guidance, the hepatic vein (HV) and then the portal vein (PV) were punctured with a 19-gauge FNA needle. A 0.035-inch guidewire was advanced through the needle into the PV lumen. The needle was exchanged over the wire, a metal stent was deployed under EUS and fluoroscopic guidance, and the distal end of the stent was positioned inside the PV and the proximal end within the HV. Eight animals were euthanized after the procedure, and 2 animals were kept alive for 2 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Successful EUS-guided IPSS creation.

RESULTS

Portosystemic shunt placement was successful in all animals. Intrahepatic vascular puncture and stent deployment were technically easy. Portosystemic flow through the shunt was documented by portal venogram and EUS Doppler. Necropsy performed after acute and survival experiments revealed no evidence of bleeding or damage to any intraperitoneal organs. There were no complications during the follow-up period in the 2 animals that were kept alive.

LIMITATION

Experiments were performed in healthy animals with normal PV pressure.

CONCLUSION

EUS-guided IPSS creation is technically feasible and may become an alternative to the currently used method of TIPSS placement.