Transbronchial fine needle aspiration

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

We reviewed 111 bronchoscopy-guided transtracheal and transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (TT/TBNA) specimens from 97 patients to determine the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing neoplasia compared to surgical biopsy and clinical follow-up and to determine the optimal number of passes. Fifty were positive for neoplasia, seven were suspicious, one was atypical, 51 were negative, and two were unsatisfactory. Of 57 positive/suspicious cases, 56 were confirmed neoplastic, with one patient lost to follow-up (specificity with follow-up: 100%). A positive diagnosis was rendered on the first pass in 29 cases (58%), second in six (12%), third in five (10%), fourth in three (6%), fifth in four (8%), and sixth, ninth, and eleventh passes in one case each (2% each). Twenty-seven negative cases had confirmed malignancies after their index FNA (sensitivity for neoplasia: 67%). We conclude that TT/TBNA is a highly specific but not always successful diagnostic technique. It appears to be limited by mechanical difficulties that prevent tumor access and cellular uptake in some masses. Little information is gained by procuring more than six samples.

Incidence of fever and bacteremia following transbronchial needle aspiration

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and transbronchial needle aspiration were performed on 50 occasions in 47 afebrile patients. The aspirations were followed by endobronchial or transbronchial biopsies in 22 patients, as well as bronchial brushings and washings where appropriate. Blood for cultures was drawn at 5 and 30 minutes following needle aspiration, as well as at the time of any temperature above 38 degrees C during the 24 hours following the procedure. In five (10 percent) of the 50 cases, there was temperature greater than 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) in the 24 hours following the bronchoscopy; in no patient were cultures of blood positive, whether done early after the procedure or at the time of fever. We conclude that transbronchial needle aspiration, a new procedure gaining widespread popularity in diagnostic thoracic medicine, is not associated with clinically detectable bacteremia. This procedure should not require antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients susceptible to endocarditis.

Radiologic evaluation of the mediastinum

New imaging techniques have had a major impact on radiologic evaluation of the mediastinum. Computed tomography has led the way in defining internal anatomy noninvasively. Ultrasound plays a small but well-defined role in the evaluation of certain mediastinal masses. Digital vascular imaging has, in certain instances, replaced conventional angiography, though it seems unlikely to render conventional angiography obsolete. Other modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging are being applied and promise to become even more important in the near future. Finally, mediastinal sampling by needle biopsy under radiologic guidance has been shown to be a reliable technique when appropriately utilized.

Rigid Transbronchial Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Histological Specimens

Transbronchial needle aspiration of cytopathological specimens has proven useful in the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma, but its value in conditions requiring histologic confirmation has been hampered by the small size of the sample provided. To expand the utility of this procedure, we designed a larger (18 gauge) needle with a beveled stylet with which tissue cores for histologic study can be obtained during rigid bronchoscopy, and we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of this technique. Diagnoses of five neoplastic and three granulomatous diseases were established in eight of the ten patients with this procedure, and there were no complications. These findings suggest that transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy is relatively safe and effective, further extending the bronchoscopic approach to selected patients with mediastinal disease.

Flexible transbronchial needle aspiration. Technical considerations

Flexible transbronchial needle aspiration provides a bronchoscopic method for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal neoplasms. Increasing experience has confirmed the usefulness of this procedure and has identified several technical factors that influence its yield and safety.

Transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

A total of 258 patients with suspected sarcoidosis underwent transbronchial needle aspiration lymph node biopsies and forceps bronchial biopsies during rigid bronchoscopy. Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsies revealed noncaseating granulomas in 66.3 percent of patients. When transbronchial needle aspiration biopsies were combined with forceps bronchial biopsies, the positive rate increased to 77.7 percent. No major complication occurred when using transbronchial needle aspiration. Rigid bronchoscopy with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsies appears to offer a sensitive and specific alternative to more invasive techniques used in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Flexible transbronchial needle aspiration for staging of bronchogenic carcinoma

Flexible transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) provides access to mediastinal lymph nodes, but its role in staging bronchogenic carcinoma is unknown. To determine the efficacy and safety of this procedure for staging the extent of mediastinal disease, the results of TBNA performed during fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 39 patients without known extrathoracic metastases were reviewed. Flexible TBNA was found to be a safe, effective method for determining the presence or absence of mediastinal metastases from bronchogenic carcinoma. Furthermore, TBNA results compare favorably with roentgenographic staging techniques, with the added advantage of providing cytopathologic information.