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The diagnosis of lung cancer in the era of interventional pulmonology

Liam CK, Lee P, Yu CJ, Bai C, Yasufuku K

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2021 01 01;25(1):6-15.
PMID: 33384039 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.20.0588

Advances in bronchoscopic and other interventional pulmonology technologies have expanded the sampling procedures pulmonologist can use to diagnose lung cancer and accurately stage the mediastinum. Among the modalities available to the interventional pulmonologist are endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needles aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transoesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for sampling peribronchial/perioesophageal central lesions and for mediastinal lymph node staging, as well as navigational bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. The role of the interventional pulmonologist in this setting is to apply these procedures based on the correct interpretation of clinical and radiological findings in order to maximise the chances of achieving the diagnosis and obtaining sufficient tissue for molecular biomarker testing to guide targeted therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The safest and the highest diagnosis-yielding modality should be chosen to avoid a repeat sampling procedure if the first one is non-diagnostic. The choice of site and biopsy modality are influenced by tumour location, patient comorbidities, availability of equipment and local expertise. This review provides a concise state-of-the art account of the interventional pulmonology procedures in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Mediastinum/pathology
Fulltext Early experience of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy: a case series from Sabah, Malaysia

Ramarmuty HY, Huan NC, Nyanti LE, Khoo TS, Renganathan T, Manoh AZ, et al.

Ther Adv Respir Dis, 2024;18:17534666241231122.
PMID: 38357899 DOI: 10.1177/17534666241231122

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Continuous efforts are underway to improve the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the introduction of a new technique called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method allows for the retrieval of larger and well-preserved histologic samples from the mediastinum. We present a case series of four patients who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC procedures in our centre. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using a convex probe EBUS scope (Pentax EB-1970UK). Two patients were diagnosed with malignancy and two with benign disorders (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the malignant cases, both EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy provided a diagnosis but cryobiopsy yielded more material for ancillary tests in one patient. However, in the benign cases, there was discordance between EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy. Only cryobiopsy detected granuloma in the patient with TB (tuberculosis), and in the patient with silicosis, TBNC provided a better overall histological evaluation, leading to a definitive diagnosis. No complications were observed. This case series supports the potential diagnostic value of combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC, particularly in benign mediastinal lesions (granulomatous diseases), and in cases requiring additional molecular tests in cancer diagnosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Mediastinum/pathology
Fulltext Ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsies of suspected mediastinal lesions

Samad SA, Sharifah NA, Zulfiqar MA, Maimunah A, Yahya A, Zainudin W

Med J Malaysia, 1993 Dec;48(4):421-6.
PMID: 8183166

Realtime ultrasonography with general purpose sector transducer was used to guide 87 percutaneous biopsies on 82 patients with lesions suspected to be mediastinal masses on plain chest radiographs. In seven patients who had dyspnea the biopsies were done in erect or semi-erect sitting positions. Definitive diagnosis was obtained from 66 lesions (80.5%) where 46 (70.0%) were mediastinal and the remaining 20 lesions (30.0%) arising from the lung. Of the 46 mediastinal lesions where specific diagnosis were made, 42 (91.0%) were anterior and four (0.9%) posterior mediastinal lesions. The majority of these anterior mediastinal masses were lymphomatous nodes followed by germ cell tumours whereas all four posterior mediastinal masses were neurogenic. Of the lung lesions, 19 were primary malignancies. The remaining lung lesion which was located posteriorly was cryptococcus infection. One patient developed massive hemothorax, but subsequently recovered. No significant complications were encountered in the remaining patients. Surgery was carried on 11 patients. There is correlation between definitive diagnosis from percutaneous biopsy and final diagnosis after surgery in 80% of patients. It is proposed that all percutaneous biopsies for thoracic masses which abut the chest wall and cause mediastinal widening on a plain chest radiograph be guided by ultrasound. It can be effectively accomplished with ease and safety even without the use of dedicated biopsy ultrasound probes or biopsy attachments, and on patients in erect or semi-erect positions.

Matched MeSH terms: Mediastinum/pathology*
Fulltext Transbronchial lymph node forceps biopsy as a novel tool in diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a pilot study

Al-Halfawy A, Hussein S, Ashur W, El-Hendawi A, Hussein S

J Cardiothorac Surg, 2024 Feb 07;19(1):69.
PMID: 38326810 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02560-x

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is an issue of debate. Lymph nodes may be enlarged due to a variety of inflammatory, infectious, or malignant reasons. Therefore, obtaining samples from the affected nodes is crucial for the diagnosis. Usually, these patients are subjected to TBNA (EBUS or conventional) or mediastinoscopy if TBNA is not conclusive. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of this new technique of transbronchial forceps biopsy for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
METHODS: The study included 18 patients with confirmed mediastinal lymphadenopathy who were admitted in Chest Department, Cairo University in the period from December 2019 to December 2020. All patients were subjected to flexible bronchoscopy with conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) and transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) from the enlarged mediastinal lymph node in the same procedure.
RESULTS: we found the technique of LN-TBFB safe with no serious complications. We were able to reach a diagnosis in 7/7 (100%) cases of sarcoidosis, 6/7 (85.7%) cases of malignant lymph nodes. We had three cases where the histopathology showed hyperactive follicular hyperplasia, and a single case of tuberculous lymphadenitis. C-TBNA was diagnostic in 71.4% of sarcoidosis cases, 42.9% of malignant cases, but failed to diagnose the one patient with tuberculous lymphadenitis.
CONCLUSION: Lymph node transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) was found to be safe and effective in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. We strongly advocate the use of this minimally invasive technique for diagnosing pathologically enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, as a last step before mediastinoscopy.

Matched MeSH terms: Mediastinum/pathology
Fulltext Lung cancer staging now and in the future

Liam CK, Andarini S, Lee P, Ho JC, Chau NQ, Tscheikuna J

Respirology, 2015 May;20(4):526-34.
PMID: 25682805 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12489

For a long time lung cancer was associated with a fatalistic approach by healthcare professionals. In recent years, advances in imaging, improved diagnostic techniques and more effective treatment modalities are reasons for optimism. Accurate lung cancer staging is vitally important because treatment options and prognosis differ significantly by stage. The staging algorithm should include a contrast computed tomography (CT) of the chest and the upper abdomen including adrenals, positron emission tomography/CT for staging the mediastinum and to rule out extrathoracic metastasis in patients considered for surgical resection, endosonography-guided needle sampling procedure replacing mediastinoscopy for near complete mediastinal staging, and brain imaging as clinically indicated. Applicability of evidence-based guidelines for staging of lung cancer depends on the available expertise and level of resources and is directly impacted by financial issues. Considering the diversity of healthcare infrastructure and economic performance of Asian countries, optimal and cost-effective use of staging methods appropriate to the available resources is prudent. The pulmonologist plays a central role in the multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer diagnosis, staging and management. Regional respiratory societies such as the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology should work with national respiratory societies to strive for uniform standards of care. For developing countries, a minimum set of care standards should be formulated. Cost-effective delivery of optimal care for lung cancer patients, including staging within the various healthcare systems, should be encouraged and most importantly, tobacco control implementation should receive an absolute priority status in all countries in Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Mediastinum/pathology