Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Therapeutic Thoracentesis

No abstract available.

Combined use of EUS-guided FNA and immunocytochemical stains disclosed metastatic and unusual diseases in the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknow etiology

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy [ML] is a cause for concern, especially in patients with previous malignancy. We report our experience with the use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration [EUS-FNA] with immunocytochemical stains in patients being evaluated for ML. Retrospective analysis of patients with ML of unknown origin who underwent EUS-FNA. On-site evaluation was performed by experienced cytologist, and special immunocytochemical stains were requested as indicated. A total of 116 patients were included, and a total of 136 mediastinal LN were sampled. Prior malignancy was present in 45%. The most common site of examined lymph node [LN] were subcarinal [76%, 103 LN]. The median long and short axis diameters were 28 mm and 13 mm, respectively. FNA was read on-site as malignant, 21 [16%]; benign, 100 [76.9%]; suspicious, six [4%]; atypical, 3 [2%]; and inadequate sample, six [4%]. Sixty-four LN were deferred for additional studies; 22 for immunocytochemical and 26 for Gimesa [GMS] stain and 21 for flow cytometry. Final FNA read was malignant in 28 [21%], benign in 103 [76%], suspicious in three [2%], and atypical in two [1%]. Metastatic malignancies disclosed included Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, melanoma, hepatoma, breast, lung, colon, renal, endometrial, Fallopian tube, and unknown carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the final FNA read to predict malignancy were 100%. EUS-guided FNA with additional ancillary studies is useful in disclosing metastatic ML from a variety of neoplasms. Due to its safety and accuracy profile, it should be considered the test of choice in evaluating abnormal ML in appropriately selected patients

Predictors of malignancy in EUS-guided FNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients without history of lung cancer

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy [ML] poses a great diagnostic challenge. To investigate the predictors of malignancy in endoscopic ultrasound [EUS]-guided fine-needle aspiration [FNA] of ML in patients without known lung cancer. Retrospective study. Tertiary referral center. 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. 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. 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