Role of fiberscopic transbronchial needle aspiration in the staging of N2 disease due to non–small cell lung cancer

Transbronchial and transoesophageal (ultrasound-guided) needle aspirations for the analysis of mediastinal lesions

“…2). In a study carried out by PATELLI et al [8] on 194 procedures, the overall sensitivity of the technique in assessing lymph node metastases was 71%, but TBNAs performed in the left paratracheal station, with a sensitivity of 52%, have been significantly less sensitive than those performed in the right paratracheal (sensitivity 84%) or in the subcarinal stations (sensitivity 79%). The higher sensitivity of TBNA reported for cancer located in the right lung in comparison to left lung neoplasms, had already been reported by WANG et al [24], in a study carried out on 39 patients.…”

“…The addition of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) not only improved bronchoscopy's diagnostic yield, it further extended the role of bronchoscopy in the evaluation of mediastinal pathology, and in the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma [3,[6][7][8]. The first description of sampling mediastinal lymph nodes through the tracheal carina using a rigid bronchoscope was by SCHIEPPATI [9,10], an Argentinian physician who presented the technique at the Argentine Meeting of Bronchoesophagology in 1949.…”

Staging the Mediastinum: What is Current Best Practice?

“…A study by Patelli et al demonstrated a higher diagnostic yield for TBNA comparing right paratracheal nodes (sensitivity 84%) and subcarinal nodes (sensitivity 79%) with left paratracheal nodes (station 4L; 52%) [19]. This trend was also described by Harrow et al [20].…”

“…Its diagnostic utility is summarized in two review articles [18,19]. The overall sensitivity and specificity of TBNA in staging the mediastinum is 78% and 99%, respectively.…”

A cytopathological approach to diagnosing intrathoracic lymphadenopathy using aspirates obtained by the transbronchial needle aspiration method

“…Adequate material is defined as the presence of 40 benign lymphocytes in a high-powered field in the areas with the greatest cellularity ( Figure 1) (5). Some authors have reported that at least 30% of the cells should be lymphocytes to have adequate material (15). If granulomatous structures or malignant cells are present, the material obtained is considered to be adequate even if there are few lymphocytes.…”