Diagnosis of lymph node metastasis by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration more than 1 year after lung cancer resection: report of a case

Surg Today. 2011 Jul;41(7):983-5. doi: 10.1007/s00595-010-4375-0. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Abstract

The usefulness of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for lymph node staging of lung cancer is well known; however, its utility for the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence remains unclear. Establishing a pathological diagnosis of postoperative intrathoracic recurrence of lung cancer is very difficult because of the anatomical changes that occur after resection. Computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) have limitations, as they provide nonpathological information. We report a case of postoperative lymph node recurrence successfully diagnosed using EBUS-TBNA. Repeated EBUS-TBNA also allowed us to evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and to follow the patient's clinical course. We report this case to show the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA for making clinical decisions in the management of patients with postoperative recurrence of lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation*
  • Ultrasonography / methods