Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology
-
J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Jul 2010
Utility of semirigid thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of pleural effusions: a systematic review.
Pleural effusion of undetermined etiology (PEUE), where blind pleural aspirate/biopsy fails to yield an answer, often needs histologic study for a definitive diagnosis. Several studies have shown the potential utility of medical thoracoscopy (MT) in PEUE; results, however, are not uniform and a majority are available for rigid thoracoscopy. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the relatively new technique of semirigid thoracoscopy in PEUE through this systematic review. ⋯ Semirigid thoracoscopy seems to be a safe, simple, and accurate tool for undiagnosed pleural effusions. It is well tolerated and is devoid of major complications. Further studies with sound methodology will further help to define the future role of this procedure.
-
J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Jul 2010
Factors Influencing the Diagnostic Yield of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.
We describe the diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in a heterogeneous population of patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy secondary to suspected cancer (lung and nonlung) or recurrence after cancer therapy in a large academic cancer institute. A review was done of all patients referred for real-time EBUS-TBNA over an 18-month period at our institution. Cytological analysis of EBUS-TBNA aspirates was compared with a reference standard of definitive pathologic tissue diagnosis or a composite of ≥6 months' clinical follow-up with radiographic imaging. ⋯ Other factors, such as airway distortion and calcification, are also associated with less accurate EBUS-TBNA results. In a diverse population of patients with suspected cancer or recurrence, EBUS-TBNA is minimally invasive and highly accurate. Factors such as lymph node size and location influence the result of EBUS-TBNA.