Diagnostic Value of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Intranodal Forceps Biopsies Combined with Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Mediastinal/Hilar Lymph Node Disease

Aims/Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the standard method for sampling mediastinal/hilar lymph node disease. However, the smaller samples obtained via needle aspiration have a lower diagnostic rate for benign compared to malignant diseases. The low diagnostic rates have been reported to be improved through using endobronchial ultrasound-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB), but the implementation of IFB presents technical challenges, as described with variable results in certain studies. The main objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value and safety of EBUS-IFB for mediastinal/hilar lymph node disease. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 patients with mediastinal/hilar lymph node disease at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. EBUS-TBNA was performed using a rigid bronchoscope on the same lymph node of each patient under general anesthesia, with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) conducted to determine the presence of pathological tissue. Following this, a tunnel was established, and a 1.5 mm biopsy forceps was employed for EBUS-IFB. Subsequently, diagnostic rates and safety of the methods used were determined. Results EBUS-IFB + EBUS-TBNA (the combined strategy) exhibited the highest diagnostic rates, with the addition of bronchial mucosa biopsy/transbronchial lung biopsy/neoplasm biopsy contributing to a successful diagnostic rate of 97.2% (139/143). The combined strategy (90.2%) and EBUS-IFB alone (88.1%) contributed to successful diagnosis for all diseases, with rates significantly higher than that of EBUS-TBNA (60.1%) (p < 0.001). The diagnostic rates for malignant disease detected with the combined strategy (97.4%) and EBUS-IFB alone (93.6%) were significantly higher than that with EBUS-TBNA alone (71.8%) (p < 0.001). Both the diagnostic rates for sarcoidosis detected with the combined strategy and EBUS-IFB alone were 87.8%, which was significantly higher than that with EBUS-TBNA alone (46.9%) (p < 0.001). The procedures implemented did not engender major complications. Conclusion Routine EBUS-TBNA followed by ROSE to acquire pathological tissue, followed by tunnel formation and EBUS-IFB, can enhance the overall diagnostic rate for mediastinal/hilar lymph node lesions. This approach is particularly valuable for diagnosing malignant diseases and sarcoidosis. EBUS-IFB serves as a safe and feasible complement to EBUS-TBNA, despite the fact that the procedure was extended in duration.