Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: series of 50 cases

Rev Clin Esp (Barc). 2023 Nov;223(9):578-581. doi: 10.1016/j.rceng.2023.09.002. Epub 2023 Sep 15.

Abstract

Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasonography-guided transbronchial fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has the drawback of providing small sample sizes for accurate diagnosis. Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBCB), which allows for larger samples, could improve diagnostic yield.

Methods: We prospectively studied 50 patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBCB in a single procedure.

Results: EBUS-TBCB improved the diagnostic performance compared with EBUS-TBNA from a definite diagnosis of 32 (64%) patients to 45 (90%) patients [difference 26% (95% confidence interval: 14-40%, p<0.05). EBUS-TBCB was more sensitive to both malignant and inflammatory diseases. EBUS-TBCB produced 6 mild complications resolved during the same procedure.

Conclusions: EBUS-TBCB is a cost-effective and safe technique superior to EBUS-TBNA. Future studies could confirm our findings.

Keywords: Criobiopsia transbronquial mediastínica; Endobronchial ultrasound-guided; Lesiones mediastínicas; Mediastinal lesions; Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy; Ultrasonografía endobronquial.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / methods
  • Endosonography
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lymphadenopathy* / diagnosis
  • Lymphadenopathy* / pathology
  • Mediastinal Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Mediastinal Diseases* / pathology
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinum / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies