The results of transbronchial needle aspiration in 164 cases with enlarged mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes / 中华内科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the role of transbrochial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis of patients with enlarged mediastinal and/or hilar lymph node. Methods Patients with mediastinal and/or hilar lymphoadenopathy proven by CT scan were eligible for TBNA as reported. All specimens were directly and instantly smeared for pathological examination. Results From June 1 2004 to December 31 2007, 164 patients were examined including 80 lung cancers, 69 lung bengin diseases, 2 other malignancy tumor, and 13 without definite diagnosis. Total 260 lymph nodes were punctured. TBNA procedures were successfully carried out in 445/463(96.1%). Sensitivity of TBNA was 82. 5 % (66/80) in patients who had been proven to suffer from bronchogenic carcinoma. There were 25 patients that diagnosis of lung cancer was pathologically determined by TBNA only. A total of 122 lymph nodes in the 80 lung cancer patients were aspirated by TBNA with a positive rate of 65. 6% (80/122). Severe complications were rare except small amount of bleeding at the TBNA site (100/164, 61.0%). From June 1 2006 to December 31 2007, lymph node tissues able to make histology diagnosis were yield in 73.5% (64/87) patients. Through histology pathology, the sensitivities of TBNA were 53. 3% (8/15) for sarcoidosis and 78.6% (33/42) for lung cancer. Conclusion TBNA is quite safe and helpful in diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma, and in diagnosis of benign lung diseases.