Minimally invasive esophagectomy via Sweet approach in combination with cervical mediastinoscopy is a valuable approach for surgical treatment of esophageal cancer / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#To compare the short-, mid-, and long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer between minimally invasive esophagectomy via Sweet approach in combination with cervical mediastinoscopy (MIE-SM) and minimally invasive esophagectomy via McKeown approach (MIE-MC), and to evaluate the value of MIE-SM in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer.@*METHODS@#A prospective, nonrandomized study was adopted. A total of 65 esophageal cancer patients after MIE-SM and MIE-MC from June 2014 to May 2016 were included. Among them, 33 patients underwent MIE-SM and 32 patients underwent MIE-MC. Short-term outcomes (including the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss volume, ICU stay time, postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, reoperation, open surgery, number of dissected lymph nodes, and 30-day mortality), mid-term outcomes, [including Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the esophageal site-specific module (QLQ-OES18)], long-term outcomes [including overall survival and disease-free survival] were compared between the 2 groups.@*RESULTS@#Radical resection (R0) were achieved in all patients. There were no significant differences in the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss volume, ICU stay time, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay between the 2 groups (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#MIE-SM appears to be a safe surgical approach, which may get better quality of life, suffer less pain, and can achieve the same therapeutic effect as MIE-MC. Therefore, MIE-SM should be considered as a valuable approach for the treatment of middle and lower esophageal cancer.

Papel actual de la videomediastinoscopía en el cáncer pulmonar / Current Role of Videomediastinoscopy in Lung Cancer

RESUMEN La exploración mediastinal comienza desde la época de Galeno. Su desarrollo se alcanzó en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, utilizada para el estudio de los ganglios y tumores mediastinales. En la actualidad su uso se ha ampliado no solo como diagnóstico, sino con fines terapéuticos, al lograr realizar resecciones pulmonares. El objetivo es realizar una revisión actualizada de la literatura, acerca del uso de la mediastinoscopia en el diagnóstico del cáncer pulmonar. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura médica donde se utilizaron las bases de datos Scopus, Medline y Cochrane bajo los criterios de sus revisores. Se emplearon las palabras claves en idioma español e inglés. El método de análisis y síntesis se usó para la interpretación de la bibliografía. Se revisaron 173 artículos, de los cuales, se escogieron 58, que cumplían con los criterios de selección, entre ellos, 6 meta análisis, 11 artículos de revisión y 41 artículos originales. La videomediastinoscopía constituye una herramienta válida para el diagnóstico, así como para el estadiamiento de enfermedades dentro y fuera de la cavidad torácica y mediastino. Por otra parte, permite el tratamiento de algunas enfermedades(AU)

ABSTRACT The mediastinal exploration begins from the time of Galen. Its development was reached in the second half of the 20th century, used for the study of lymph nodes and mediastinal tumors. At present its use has been expanded not only as a diagnosis, but also for therapeutic purposes, by achieving lung resections. The objective is to carry out an updated review of the literature on the use of mediastinoscopy in the diagnosis of lung cancer. A review of the medical literature was carried out where the Scopus, Medline and Cochrane databases were used under the criteria of their reviewers. The keywords in Spanish and English were used. The method of analysis and synthesis was used for the interpretation of the bibliography. 173 articles were reviewed, of which 58 were chosen, which met the selection criteria, including 6 meta-analyzes, 11 review articles, and 41 original articles. Videomediastinoscopy is a valid tool for diagnosis, as well as for the staging of diseases inside and outside the thoracic cavity and mediastinum. On the other hand, it allows the treatment of some diseases(AU)

Caracterización de los pacientes operados de tumores del mediastino / Surgical-evolutionary Characterization of Patients Operated on for Mediastinal Tumors

RESUMEN Introducción: Las neoplasias mediastinales son tumores poco frecuentes, pueden aparecer a cualquier edad, por lo general entre la tercera y quinta décadas y se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina en pacientes asintomáticos. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes operados de tumores de mediastino según variables clínicas y quirúrgicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de tipo serie de casos con una muestra de 37 pacientes ingresados y operados en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente "Saturnino Lora" de Santiago de Cuba, con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal durante los años 2010 a 2017. Resultados: La esternotomía fue la vía de acceso más utilizada y se logró efectuar exéresis completa en 31 enfermos. Primaron las variedades histológicas malignas (54,1 por ciento); solo hubo cuatro complicaciones posoperatorias de relevancia y dos fallecidos. Conclusión: Predominaron los tumores malignos en los que se identificó una amplia gama de variedades histológicas, atribuibles a las características del órgano afectado. La selección de la vía de entrada al tórax, así como el procedimiento quirúrgico estuvo condicionados por el lugar y tamaño del tumor en el mediastino. Los resultados quirúrgicos fueron favorables, avalados por el bajo número de complicaciones y nivel de mortalidad en la serie(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mediastinal neoplasms are rare tumors that may appear at any age, generally between the third and fifth decades of life, and incidentally discovered by a routine chest radiograph performed on asymptomatic patients. Objective: To characterize the patients operated on for mediastinal tumors according to selected surgical and evolutionary variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and case series study was carried out with a sample of 37 patients hospitalized and operated on in the general surgery service at Saturnino Lora Teaching Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, with a diagnosis of mediastinal tumor, and during the years 2010 to 2017. Results: Sternotomy was the most widely used access route and complete exeresis was achieved in 31 patients. Malignant histological varieties prevailed (54.1 percent). There were only four relevant postoperative complications and two deaths. Conclusion: Malignant tumors predominated with a wide range of histological varieties identified, attributable to the characteristics of the affected organ. Selection of the access route into the thorax and the surgical procedure were conditioned by location and size of the tumor in the mediastine. The surgical outcomes were favorable, supported by the low number of complications and the level of mortality in the series(AU)

EBUS-TBNA versus surgical mediastinoscopy for mediastinal lymph node staging in potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / EBUS-TBNA versus mediastinoscopia cirúrgica no estadiamento linfonodal mediastinal do câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas potencialmente operável: revisão sistemática e meta-análise

ABSTRACT Objective: Lung cancer (LC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Accurate mediastinal staging is mandatory in order to assess prognosis and to select patients for surgical treatment. EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive procedure that allows sampling of mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs). Some studies have suggested that EBUS-TBNA is preferable to surgical mediastinoscopy for mediastinal staging of LC. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare EBUS-TBNA and mediastinoscopy in terms of their effectiveness for mediastinal LN staging in potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis, in which we searched various databases. We included studies comparing the accuracy of EBUS-TBNA with that of mediastinoscopy for mediastinal LN staging in patients with NSCLC. In the meta-analysis, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and negative likelihood ratios. We also analyzed the risk difference for the reported complications associated with each procedure. Results: The search identified 4,201 articles, 5 of which (with a combined total of 532 patients) were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between EBUS-TBNA and mediastinoscopy in terms of the sensitivity (81% vs. 75%), specificity (100% for both), positive likelihood ratio (101.03 vs. 95.70), or negative likelihood ratio (0.21 vs. 0.23). The area under the summary ROC curve was 0.9881 and 0.9895 for EBUS-TBNA and mediastinoscopy, respectively. Although the number of complications was higher for mediastinoscopy, the difference was not significant (risk difference: −0.03; 95% CI: −0.07 to 0.01; I2 = 76%). Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA and mediastinoscopy produced similar results for mediastinal staging of NSCLC. EBUS-TBNA can be the procedure of first choice for LN staging in patients with NSCLC.

RESUMO Objetivo: O câncer de pulmão (CP) é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo. Um estadiamento mediastinal preciso é obrigatório para avaliação do prognóstico e seleção de pacientes para tratamento cirúrgico. EBUS-TBNA é um procedimento minimamente invasivo que permite a amostragem de linfonodos mediastinais. Alguns estudos sugerem que a EBUS-TBNA é preferível que a mediastinoscopia cirúrgica no estadiamento mediastinal do CP. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática e meta-análise foi comparar a eficácia da EBUS-TBNA e da mediastinoscopia no estadiamento linfonodal mediastinal do câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas (CPCNP) potencialmente operável. Métodos: Foram pesquisados diversos bancos de dados. Estudos comparando a precisão da EBUS-TBNA e da mediastinoscopia no estadiamento linfonodal mediastinal em pacientes com CPCNP foram incluídos. Na meta-análise, foram calculadas sensibilidade e especificidade, bem como razões de verossimilhança positiva e negativa. A diferença de risco de complicações relatadas para cada procedimento também foi analisada. Resultados: A pesquisa identificou 4.201 artigos, dos quais 5 foram selecionados para a meta-análise (total combinado de 532 pacientes). Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre EBUS-TBNA e mediastinoscopia: sensibilidade (81% vs. 75%), especificidade (100% para ambas), razão de verossimilhança positiva (101,03 vs. 95,70) e razão de verossimilhança negativa (0,21 vs. 0,23). A área sob a curva summary ROC para EBUS-TBNA e para mediastinoscopia foi de 0,9881 e 0,9895, respectivamente. Embora o número de complicações tenha sido maior para mediastinoscopia, não foi encontrada diferença significativa (diferença de risco: −0,03; IC95%: −0,07 to 0,01; I2 = 76%). Conclusões: EBUS-TBNA e mediastinoscopia apresentaram resultados semelhantes no estadiamento mediastinal do CPCNP. EBUS-TBNA pode ser o procedimento de primeira escolha no estadiamento linfonodal em pacientes com CPCNP.

Plasmocitoma extramedular: una rara causa de masa mediastínica / Extramedullary mediastinal plasmacytoma: report of one case

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytomas represent 3% of plasma cell neoplasms. Their most common locations are the upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. We report a 70-year-old male presenting with progressive dyspnea and cough. A chest radiography showed widened mediastinum. Chest computed tomography showed a mediastinal mass. A bronchoscopy showed an extrinsic compression and complete occlusion of the primary bronchus. A self-expandable prosthesis was installed in left bronchus. A population of plasmacytoid cells was evidenced in the mass biopsy. Immunohistochemistry revealed CD20+ and CD138+. These tumor cells stained positively for lambda light chains, but negatively for kappa chains. Therefore an extramedullary plasmacytoma was diagnosed. A multiple myeloma was discarded with a normal blood count, serum calcium and creatinine levels. Serum protein electrophoresis had a monoclonal spike, serum IgG was 1963 mg/dl. Bone marrow aspiration had 1% of plasma cells. Bone x-rays were normal. Computed tomographies of the neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvis ruled out other plasmacytomas. Eight cycles of chemotherapy with thalidomide, melphalan and prednisone were indicated, obtaining complete remission of the tumor. The review of the literature shows that mediastinal extramedullary plasmacytomas are extremely rare. They generally appear in men aged between 50 and 60 years. The treatment of choice is radiotherapy, but given the location in the present case, chemotherapy was considered the best option. Recurrence is approximately 10 to 30% and 10% of patients progress to myeloma, thus requiring close monitoring.

Mediastinoscopía: Estadificación para toda la Argentina / Mediastinoscopy Staging for all Argentina

El manejo actual del cáncer de pulmón debe realizarse según el TNM elaborado por la Asociación Internacional para el Estudio del Cáncer de Pulmón (IASLC). Esta clasificación permite una descripción estandarizada, la comparación de resultados y encuadrar a los pacientes en estadios dentro de los cuales su pronóstico y terapéutica sean similares

El valor predictivo negativo de la mediastinoscopía realizada por cirujanos torácicos / Negative Predictive Value of Mediastinoscopy Carried Out by Chest Surgeons

Antecedentes: A pesar de que la mediastinoscopía constituye el método de referencia en el diagnóstico prequirúrgico de enfermedad mediastinal en el cáncer pulmonar, recientemente su utilidad ha sido cuestionada debido a la aparición de métodos menos invasivos de los que se reporta serían al menos tan efectivos como la mediastinoscopía. Nuestro objetivo es revisar el índice de falsos negativos, valor predictivo negativo y sensibilidad de la mediastinoscopía cuando es realizada por cirujanos torácicos certificados. Métodos: Se seleccionaron del registro prospectivo de cirugía torácica del Hospital Universitario Fundación Favaloro todas las mediastinoscopías realizadas entre los años 2009 y 2015. De estos casos se revisaron las historias clínicas, reportes quirúrgicos y de anatomía patológica. Resultados: Se realizaron 82 mediastinoscopías en el período de estudio; 50 pacientes fueron hombres; la mediana de edad fue de 61 años. En el 100% de los casos se obtuvieron ganglios linfáticos. El porcentaje de falsos negativos de la mediastinoscopía fue de 7/82 pacientes. Tanto la sensibilidad como el valor predictivo negativo de la mediastinoscopía fueron del 84%. Hubo una complicación intraoperatoria. La mortalidad relacionada con el procedimiento fue del 0%. Conclusiones: La mediastinoscopía es un método seguro y de alto valor predictivo negativo cuando es realizada por cirujanos torácicos certificados. En todos los casos se obtienen ganglios linfáticos para su análisis. Estos valores son los que deberían tenerse en cuenta al momento de comparar este método con los nuevos métodos de muestra ganglionar mediastinal menos invasivos.

Background: Although mediastinoscopy is the gold standard in the preoperative diagnosis of lung cancer mediastinal disease, recent publications have addressed the role of newer less invasive methods, suggesting that they are at least, as valid as mediastinoscopy. Our objective was to report the false negative rate, negative predictive value and sensitivity of mediastinoscopy when performed by certified chest surgeons. Methods: The study included all patients who underwent mediastinoscopy at the General Thoracic Surgery Unit of the Hospital Universitario Fundación Favaloro from 2009 up to 2015. Medical, pathology and surgical reports were reviewed. Results: 82 patients underwent mediastinoscopy during the study period; 50 patients were men. Median age was 61 years. In all patients samples of lymph node tissue were obtained. The false negative rate of mediastinoscopy was 7/82 patients. The negative predictive value and the sensitivity of the procedure were 84%. There was one intraoperative complication. The mediastinoscopy related mortality rate was 0%. Conclusions: Mediastinoscopy is safe and has a high negative predictive value when it is performed by certifed chest surgeons. Samples of lymphatic tissue for biopsy can be obtained in 100% of the cases. These values should be used for comparisons with any newer minimally invasive methods designed to replace mediastinoscopy.

Application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Deep Neck Infection / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) has been used in many surgery to treat complicated wound and impaired wound healing by delivering negative pressure at the wound site through a patented dressing, which helps draw wound edges together, remove infectious materials, and actively promote granulation at the cellular level. Recently application of NPWT has been increased to treat deep neck infection. We aimed to retrieve indications and guidelines to treat deep neck infection from our cases and after reviewing articles. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: From our experience with 9 cases presented as deep neck abscess in which the application of a Vacuum-assisted closure device was used instead of common drainage tubes after surgical evacuation and journal review, indications and guidelines to apply NPWT as one of the tools to treat deep neck infection were retrieved. RESULTS: Indication and Guideline of NPWT. 1) For simple abscess involving single space excepting the mediastinum, intravenous administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, needle aspiration or simple surgical drainage is recommended. 2) In the case of failure of previous treatments, NPWT will be necessary for immunocompromised hosts such as diabetic patients for whom more than two spaces are involved, the mediastinal involvement, compromised airway or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In severe cases involving the chest, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or mediastinoscopy could be used. 3) For patients with improving signs such as decreasing pus, increasing granulation formation, negative culture results from sponge, and normalized C-reactive protein, we can stop NPWT and convert to the regular wound care. CONCLUSION: Indication and Guideline of NPWT could be applied to treat deep neck infection.

Voice Change Due to Paratracheal Air Cysts

Paratracheal air cysts are a rare entity in which cystic formation occurs adjacent to the trachea. Most patients with paratracheal air cysts are asymptomatic, and the cysts are detected incidentally on chest radiograph or computed tomography (CT) scan. Most symptomatic patients complain of pulmonary symptoms or repeated respiratory infection. Rarely, the air cysts can lead to paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve as a result of direct compression. We report a case of a 59-year-old male patient who presented with voice change, and the cause was identified as paratracheal air cysts on a chest CT scan. Surgical resection via video-assisted mediastinoscopy was performed, and the voice recovered immediately after the operation.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung carcinoma is a common cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for majority of cases worldwide. Accurate staging of NSCLC is of paramount importance due to marked difference in survival and management strategies between stage II and III of the disease. The staging methods have evolved from invasive thoracotomies and mediastinoscopies to relatively non-invasive complete mediastinal staging by combination of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic bronchial ultrasound (EBUS). EUS also provides information about mediastinal invasion and liver/adrenal metastasis. Future role of EUS include providing tissue for molecular targeted therapy.

Utilidad de la mediastinoscopia: resultados de 140 procedimientos / Mediastinoscopy: experience with 140 procedures

Objetivo: determinar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la mediastinoscopia para diagnóstico y estadiaje de enfermedades del tórax. Métodos: se revisó la información general incluida en la base de datos del servicio de Cirugía de Tórax del Hospital Dr. R. A. Calderón Guardia, de 140 pacientes sometidos a mediastinoscopia durante el periodo comprendido entre 1989 y 2013, la cual se complementó con datos específicos obtenidos de los expedientes clínicos...

The Role of EBUS-TBNA in the Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer / 한양의대학술지

Convex-probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (CP-EBUS-TBNA) has emerged as a new diagnostic modality that allows ultrasound-guided, real-time needle aspiration of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Mediastinoscopy has been the reference standard for neoplastic staging in the mediastinum, but it is invasive and requires general anesthesia. Considering recent prospective studies and clinical guidelines, a needle technique such as EBUS-TBNA and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) should be performed first for the mediastinal nodal staging of non-small lung cancer. Combining EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA will replace more invasive methods such as mediastinoscopy. CP-EBUS-TBNA can also be used for the restaging after neoadjuvant therapy, the diagnosis of recurrent lung cancer and central lung parenchymal lesion which abuts trachea or bronchi. In the era of personalized medicine, good-quality and sufficient tissues need to be obtained for the molecular testing and treatment guidance. EBUS-TBNA has the ability to obtain satisfactory material for the detection of EGFR mutation, KRAS mutation, and EML-ALK fusion gene.

A New Isolated Mediastinal Lymph Node or Small Pulmonary Nodule Arising during Breast Cancer Surveillance Following Curative Surgery: Clinical Factors That Differentiate Malignant from Benign Lesions / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: A newly isolated mediastinal lymph node (LN) or a small pulmonary nodule, which appears during breast cancer surveillance, may pose a diagnostic dilemma with regard to malignancy. We conducted this study to determine which clinical factors were useful for the differentiation of malignant lesions from benign lesions under these circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled breast cancer patients who were presented with a new isolated mediastinal LN or small pulmonary nodule that arose during surveillance, and whose lesions were pathologically confirmed. Tissue diagnosis was made by mediastinoscopy, video-assisted thoracic surgery or thoracotomy. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were enrolled (mediastinal LN, 13 patients; pulmonary nodule, 30 patients). Eighteen patients (41.9%) were pathologically confirmed to have a benign lesion (benign group), and 25 patients (58.1%) were confirmed to have malignant lesion (malignant group). Between the two groups, the initial tumor size (p=0.096) and N stage (p=0.749) were similar. Hormone receptor negativity was more prevalent in the malignant group (59.1% vs. 40.9%, p=0.048). The mean lesion size was larger in the malignant group than in the benign group (20.8 mm vs. 14.4 mm, p=0.024). Metastatic lesions had a significantly higher value of maximal standardized uptake (mSUV) than that of benign lesions (6.4 vs. 3.4, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Hormone receptor status, lesion size, and mSUV on positron emission tomography are helpful in the differentiation of malignant lesions from benign lesions in breast cancer patients who were presented with a new isolated mediastinal LN or small pulmonary nodule during surveillance.

Síndrome de vena cava superior: forma inicial de presentacion en enfermedades neoplásicas / [Superior Cava Venous syndrome as presentation of neoplasic disease].

Superior Cava Venous Syndrome (SVCS) encompasses a constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from partial or complete obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right atrium. Thrombosis can be caused by intrinsic (primary) or extrinsic compression (with or without secondary thrombosis). The causes of SVCS can be grouped according to their etiology in non-neoplastic and neoplastic. The causes malignant correspond to 65-90

of them, thrombosis and nonmalignant conditions are another causes. The presentation may be acute, clinically characterized by dyspnea and a characteristic triad (facial, neck and arms edema, cyanosis and collateral circulation). Early detection improves prognosis and is based on clinical data and imaging studies. We describe 8 cases where the SVCS was the first manifestation of neoplastic diseases. Patients were predominantly of middle-aged, male, without association with consumption of tobacco and lymphoma was most frequent diagnosis.

The diagnostic efficacy and safety of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration as an initial diagnostic tool

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Real-time, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is used for the staging of malignant mediastinal lymph nodes. We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy and safety of EBUS-TBNA when used as an initial diagnostic tool. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 56 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA as an initial diagnostic tool between August 2010 and December 2011. Procedure purpose were classified into four categories: 1) intrathoracic masses adjacent to the central airway; 2) enlarged lymph nodes for concurrent diagnosis and staging in suspected malignancy; 3) enlarged lymph nodes in suspected malignancy cases with inability to perform percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB); and 4) solely mediastinal masses/lymph nodes in lieu of mediastinoscopy. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA regardless of procedure purpose was calculated to be 83.9%. Furthermore, the diagnostic accuracy of malignant disease was significantly higher than benign disease (93.9% vs. 70.6%, p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for each disease is as follows: tuberculosis, 50%; sarcoidosis, 60%; aspergillosis, 100%; lung abscess, 100%; lung cancer, 93%; and lymphoma, 100%. There were minor complications in seven patients during the EBUS-TBNA procedure. The complications included mild hypoxia and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, EBUS-TBNA is a useful initial diagnostic tool for both benign and malignant diseases. EBUS-TBAN is also a very safe procedure and less invasive compared to mediastinoscopy or PCNB.

Cervical mediastinoscopy: Re-evaluation of an old technique in era of new imaging technology.

Context. With the advent of modern anatomical and functional imaging technologies, application of cervical mediastinoscopy has decreased in diagnosis and staging of mediastinal diseases. Aim. To evaluate the usefulness of cervical mediastinoscopy in assessing the mediastinal disease when imaging modalities are non-diagnostic. Settings and Design. Retrospective analysis of records of a tertiary care hospital. Patients and Methods. Thirty-nine patients with mediastinal pathology of varied aetiologies underwent cervical mediastinoscopy. Pre- and post-operative diagnosis was compared. Results. In 34 out of 39 cases (87.5%), cervical mediastinoscopy provided a confirmatory final diagnosis. One case had a major complication in the form of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Conclusion. Cervical mediastinoscopy is useful, minimally invasive modality in a scenario where anatomical and functional imaging tools are non-diagnostic.

Value of cytopathology in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the role of cytopathology in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for lung tumor diagnosis and staging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-hundred consecutive cases of lung tumor with EBUS-TBNA performed during the period from April, 2009 to September, 2010 in Shanghai Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The cytologic diagnoses were categorized as non-diagnostic, negative, suspicious and malignant. When available, cell block preparation and immunohistochemistry were performed. On the 22 positive cases diagnosed by on-site evaluation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation study was carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 200 cases of cytology specimens, 122 cases (69.3%) were diagnosed as malignant, 42 cases (23.9%) as benign and 12 cases (6.8%) as suspicious for malignancy. The non-diagnostic rate was 12.0% (24/200). Amongst the 200 cases studied, 140 cases (70.0%) had histologic correlation available (via core biopsy, mediastinoscopic biopsy or surgical excision). The sensitivity and specificity of EBUS-TBNA cytologic diagnoses were 94.4% and 100%, when using histopathologic findings and clinical follow-up data as gold standard. The cell block preparation and immunohistochemistry were useful in subtyping and diagnosis of extrathoracic malignancy. EGFR mutations were detected in 8 cytology samples (36.4%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EBUS-TBNA is a sensitive and specific tool for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. The cytology samples can be used for further ancillary investigations including cell block preparation, immunohistochemistry and molecular studies.</p>

Airway obstruction after biopsy by cervical mediastinoscopy in a patient with a mediastinal mass: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Biopsy, using mediastinoscopy is commonly employed for accurate histologic diagnosis of a mediastinal mass. However, since the mass is not removed during the procedure, it may cause compression of vital structures such as major airways, the heart, the pulmonary artery, and the superior vena cava after surgery. We observed a case of a 66-year-old man with a mediastinal mass that caused severe airway obstruction during recovery from anesthesia following mediastinoscopic biopsy, probably caused by upper airway edema which seemed to originate from compression of the superior vena cava. Therefore, we suggest that unexpected airway obstruction in a patient with a mediastinal mass can be due to superior vena cava compression.

Transbronchial needle aspiration "by the books"

Training for advanced bronchoscopic procedures is acquired during the interventional pulmonology [IP] Fellowship. Unfortunately a number of such programs are small, limiting dissemination of formal training. We studied success of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration [C-TBNA] in the hands of physicians without formal IP training. A technique of C-TBNA was learned solely form the literature, videos and practicing on inanimate models at "Hands-On" courses. Conventional TBNA with 21 and /or 19 gauge Smooth Shot Needles [Olympus [Registered Sign], Japan] was performed on consecutive patients with undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Thirty-four patients [male 23], mean age 54.9 +/- 11.8 years underwent C-TBNA. Twenty- two patients had nodes larger than 20 mms. Suspected diagnoses were malignancy in 20 and nonmalignant conditions in 14. Final diagnoses were malignancy 17, sarcoidosis 4, reactive lymph 12, and tuberculosis 1. Final diagnosis was established by C-TBNA in 14 [11 malignancy, 3 sarcoidosis; yield 41.1%], mediastinoscopy in 14, transthoracic needle aspiration in 3, peripheral lymph node biopsies in 2 and by endobronchial biopsy in 1. Nodal size had an impact on outcome [P=0.000] while location did not [P=0.33]. C-TBNA was positive in 11/20 when malignancy was suspected [yield 55%], while 3/14 when benign diagnosis was suspected [yield 21.4%] [P=0.05]. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy were 66.6%, 100%, 100%, 65% and 79.4%, respectively. There were no complications or scope damage. Conventional-TBNA can be learned by the books and by practicing on inanimate models without formal training and results similar to those published in the literature could be achieved