Cryo-Biopsy versus 19G needle versus 22G needle with EBUS-TBNA endoscopy

Meta-analysis and systematic review of mediastinal cryobiopsy versus endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of intrathoracic adenopathy

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided mediastinal/hilar cryobiopsy (MedCryoBx) is a relatively new modality, being combined with EBUS-transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) to improve yield in the diagnosis of intrathoracic adenopathy. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the diagnostic yield of MedCryoBx versus EBUS-TBNA for intrathoracic adenopathy.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search using Google Scholar, Embase, and PubMed/MEDLINE for studies about a diagnosis of intrathoracic adenopathy using MedCryoBx and EBUS-TBNA. Two authors separately reviewed studies for inherent bias using the Quality Assessment Data Abstraction and Synthesis-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Inverse Variance weighting for random effects methodology was used for meta-analysis. Pooled diagnostic yields overall and for subgroups were estimated. Complications of MedCryoBx were reviewed.

Results

Ten studies with 844 patients undergoing either biopsy procedure were in the final analysis. A total of 554 patients underwent MedCryoBx and 704 patients EBUS-TBNA. Meta-analysis showed a pooled diagnostic yield of 91% (504 of 554) for MedCryoBx and 81% (567 of 704) for EBUS-TBNA, with odds ratio (OR) of 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6 to 3.91; P<0.001], with I2 of 20%. Subgroup analysis for benign conditions showed increased diagnostic yield with OR of 7.95 (91% MedCryoBx versus 58% EBUS-TBNA, P<0.001) with an I2 of 25%. Subgroup analysis for lymphoma showed a statistically significant increase in pooled diagnostic yield with OR of 11.48 (87% MedCryoBx versus 29% EBUS-TBNA, P=0.001). Mild bleeding (36.5%) without any intervention was the most common complication. Bleeding requiring intervention (0.7%) was noted in patients. Pneumothorax (0.4%) and pneumomediastinum (0.4%) were less common in this analysis.

Conclusions

MedCryoBx is a very promising tool for the diagnosis of intrathoracic adenopathy. It has improved diagnostic yield over EBUS-TBNA in benign and possibly lymphoproliferative diseases, but less so in lung cancer. The complication rates with MedCryoBx are comparable to EBUS-TBNA.

Utility and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TMC): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Modalities to improve tissue acquisition during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) have been investigated. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TMC) is a modality to obtain larger histological samples by inserting a cryoprobe into the mediastinal lesion. We aimed to study the diagnostic yield and safety of EBUS-TMC.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of the PubMed and Embase databases to extract the relevant studies. We then performed a meta-analysis to calculate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TMC and compare it with EBUS-TBNA.

RESULTS

Following a systematic search, we identified 14 relevant studies (869 patients undergoing EBUS-TMC and EBUS-TBNA). We then performed a meta-analysis of the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TMC and EBUS-TBNA from studies wherein both procedures were performed. The pooled diagnostic yield of EBUS-TMC was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89%-95%). The pooled diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA was 81% (95% CI, 77%-85%). The risk difference in yield was 11% (95% CI, 6%-15%, I2 = 0%) when EBUS-TMC and EBUS-TBNA were compared. The only complication reported commonly with EBUS-TMC was minor bleeding. The complication rate was comparable with EBUS-TBNA.

CONCLUSION

EBUS-TMC provides a greater diagnostic yield with a similar risk of adverse events compared to EBUS-TBNA. Future studies are required to clearly establish which patients are most likely to benefit from this modality.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Mediastinal Lymph Nodal Cryobiopsy in Patients With Nondiagnostic/Inadequate Rapid On-site Evaluation: A New Step in the Diagnostic Algorithm

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is considered the investigation of choice for sampling mediastinal nodes. A major drawback of EBUS-TBNA is its lower diagnostic yield for lymphoma and benign diseases. EBUS-guided mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-MCB) is a novel technique that provides larger nodal biopsy samples, with an acceptable safety profile. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-MCB in patients with an inconclusive rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE).

METHODS

This is a prospective study of patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA for undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Patients in whom ROSE did not yield a diagnosis (nondiagnostic ROSE) or ROSE revealed scanty atypical cells (inadequate ROSE) were subjected to EBUS-MCB. The diagnostic yield, adequacy, and complications of EBUS-MCB were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 196 patients undergoing EBUS-TBNA, 46 patients underwent EBUS-MCB. Thirty-two cases underwent EBUS-MCB for a nondiagnostic ROSE. EBUS-MCB confirmed the diagnosis in 19/32 (59.3%) cases. The additive diagnostic yield of EBUS-MCB over EBUS-TBNA was 43.7% (14/32 cases). In all 14 cases where EBUS-MCB was performed for an inadequate ROSE, the material obtained by EBUS-MCB was adequate for ancillary studies. The most common complication observed was a minor bleed in 13 cases.

CONCLUSION

EBUS-MCB has a diagnostic yield of 59.3% when performed in cases with a nondiagnostic EBUS-ROSE. The tissue obtained by EBUS-MCB is adequate for ancillary studies. We propose EBUS-MCB as an additional diagnostic step in cases with an inconclusive ROSE while performing EBUS-TBNA. Larger studies are, however, needed before EBUS-MCB can be incorporated in the diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of mediastinal lesions.

What is new in mediastinal staging?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Appropriate staging is of utmost importance in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as the pathologic stage dictates both overall prognosis and appropriate therapeutic pathways. This article seeks to review the current recommendations for mediastinal staging of NSCLC and available modalities to achieve this. Landmark publications pertaining to recent advancements in NSCLC treatments are also highlighted and the role of specific bronchoscopic modalities for tissue acquisition are reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advancements in the treatment of NSCLC have made accurate mediastinal staging more important than ever. Guidelines and recommendations outlining patients that warrant invasive mediastinal staging are available and a systematic approach should be utilized when sampling is performed. Ensuring the adequacy of tissue for the growing number of molecular biomarkers that must be tested has been the focus of many recent studies.

SUMMARY

Appropriate mediastinal staging is crucial for the management of patients with NSCLC as is obtaining adequate tissue for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. EBUS-TBNA is sufficient for the diagnosis of nonsmall cell and small cell lung carcinomas, but EBUS-guided intranodal forceps and cryobiopsy may provide more optimal specimen for patients with benign disease, such as sarcoidosis, or in cases of lymphoma. Further studies are necessary to better delineate the role of these techniques in the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal diseases before they become the primary diagnostic modalities.

Is the diagnostic yield of mediastinal lymph node cryobiopsy (cryoEBUS) better for diagnosing mediastinal node involvement compared to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

New tools such as cryobiopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes (cryoEBUS) have been described to improve the diagnostic usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The literature suggests that this novel procedure could be associated with greater diagnostic usefulness than conventional EBUS-TBNA.

METHODS

To develop a systematic analysis and meta-analysis on the diagnostic diagnostic yield and safety of cryobiopsy of hilar and mediastinal adenopathies compared to EBUS-TBNA.

RESULTS

Seven studies that had included a total of 555 patients were considered in this review, with 365 (65.7%) of these patients having an etiology of malignant lymph node involvement. The overall diagnostic usefulness of cryoEBUS was higher compared to EBUS-TBNA (92% vs. 80%). However, when the results were analysed according to the specific aetiologies of the adenopathies, cryoEBUS was especially useful in cases of lymphomas or non-pulmonary carcinomas (83% vs. 42%) and in cases that were benign (87% vs. 60.1%), with no significant differences being found in specific cases of lung cancer. For lymphoma, cryoEBUS was diagnostic in 87% of cases compared to 12% for EBUS-TBNA and in addition, also allowed the characterisation of every lymphoma subtype. Genetic studies and immunohistochemical determination of PD-L1 was possible in almost all (97%) of the samples obtained by cryoEBUS, while this was only possible in 79% of those obtained by EBUS-TBNA. The most frequent complication was light bleeding, which was described in up to 85% of cases in some series.

CONCLUSION

CryoEBUS could represent a promising technique in the diagnostic algorithm used for mediastinal and hilar involvement. Although cryoEBUS did not significantly improve the diagnosis of lung cancer compared to EBUS-TBNA, the results were significantly better in patients with benign pathologies and other tumour types, including lymphomas. In addition, it seems that the samples obtained by cryoEBUS better defined the histological subtypes of lymphoma and allowed complete molecular characterisation in cases of lung cancer. The technique has proven to be safe and no serious complications were described after the procedure.

The evolution of endobronchial ultrasound usage in modern era

Over the past two decades, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has become a crucial tool for diagnosing pulmonary diseases. The most common indication of EBUS usage is the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Additionally, there have been significant improvements in the application of convex probe EBUS in line with the increase in experience and knowledge about EBUS and the developments in medicine and technology. To enhance diagnostic accuracy and acquire larger tissue samples, techniques such as cryo-biopsy guided by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and intranodal forceps biopsy have been developed. Additionally, elastography functionality has been integrated into the EBUS application to improve the assessment of targeted lesions. Moreover, its utilization for evaluating and sampling pulmonary vascular structures has expanded. It has also found applications in guiding intratumoral therapy, positioning fiducial markers, and facilitating the drainage of pleural or pericardial effusions. This review aims to provide an overview of the extended applications of convex probe EBUS beyond its conventional uses.

Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Versus Sleep Disturbances for NSCLC Patients

INTRODUCTION

Cancer patients are known to experience sleep disturbances that differ between disease stages and treatments. Regarding lung cancer patients and immunotherapy, information on their sleep disturbances has been recently acquired, but no comparison has been made between different treatment modalities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We recruited 98 non-small cell lung cancer patients; 49 had programmed death-ligand 1 expression of ≥50% and received immunotherapy as first-line treatment and 49 had programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the range from 0-49 and received chemotherapy as first-line treatment. All patients were stage IV, but with no bone metastasis. Sleep disturbances were recorded through polysomnography and sleep questionnaires.

RESULTS

For immunotherapy patients with PD-L1 expression ≥ 50%, the disease response was rapid and the sleep disturbances decreased rapidly. On the other hand, for chemotherapy patients, the sleep disturbances remained for all those patients that had partial response and stable disease. It was noticed that chemotherapy drugs induce severe adverse effects.

DISCUSSION

In our study, it was observed that patients with complete response had reduced sleep disturbances in the case of immunotherapy patients. However, sleep disturbances continued for several patients in the chemotherapy group due to the adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs.

IN CONCLUSION

Immunotherapy drugs on their own do not induce sleep disturbances and, through treatment response, alleviate sleep disturbances in lung cancer patients.