Objective The differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis and tuberculosis is difficult, especially in countries with a high tuberculosis burden. We hypothesized that sonographic features on endobronchial ...ultrasonography (EBUS) would help in differentiating tuberculosis from sarcoidosis. In this study, the endosonographic features of tuberculosis and sarcoidosis are compared. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with intrathoracic lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), and were finally diagnosed with sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. Sonographic features such as size, shape (round or oval), margin (distinct or indistinct), echogenicity (heterogeneous or homogeneous), presence or absence of a central hilar structure, and coagulation necrosis sign were recorded and compared in the 2 groups. Results During the study period, 249 EBUS-guided TBNA procedures were performed and a diagnosis of sarcoidosis (n = 118) or tuberculosis (n = 47) was made in 165 patients. A total of 358 lymph node stations were examined. Heterogeneous echotexture (53.4% vs 12.6%, P < .001) and coagulation necrosis (26.1% vs 3.3%; P < .001) were significantly higher in tuberculous lymph nodes. A combination of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) and either heterogeneous echotexture or coagulation necrosis sign had specificity of 98% and positive predictive value of 91% for a diagnosis of tuberculosis. Conclusions Sonographic features of heterogeneous echotexture or coagulation necrosis in the lymph nodes on EBUS are fairly specific for tuberculosis. Along with a positive TST, these features strongly favor a diagnosis of tuberculosis over sarcoidosis.
Whether endosonography can replace mediastinoscopy as the initial procedure for mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer remains controversial. Herein, we perform a systematic review of ...randomized controlled trials and observational studies (both procedures performed in same subjects) comparing the two procedures. Nine studies (960 subjects) were identified. The pooled risk-difference of the sensitivity of endosonography versus mediastinoscopy in observational studies and randomized controlled trials was 0.11 (95% confidence interval, -0.07 to 0.29) and 0.11 (95% confidence interval, -0.03 to 0.25), respectively suggesting equivalence of the two procedures. The complication rate was significantly lower with endosonographic procedures. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration/endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration was found to have similar yield but lower complication rate compared to mediastinoscopy in the initial mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is superior to conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (cTBNA) in the staging of lung cancer. However, ...its efficiency in diagnosis of sarcoidosis when combined with endobronchial biopsy (EBB) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) has not been studied. This randomized controlled trial compares diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA vs cTBNA in combination with EBB and TBLB. METHODS Patients with clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis were randomized 1:1 to EBUS-TBNA or cTBNA. All patients underwent TBLB and EBB. The primary outcome was detection of granulomas. The secondary end points were the individual and cumulative yields of various procedures, serious adverse events, and procedure time. RESULTS Of the 130 patients, sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 117 (62 cTBNA, 55 EBUS-TBNA). The two groups were similar at baseline. Granulomas were demonstrated in 104 (53 cTBNA, 51 EBUS-TBNA) patients and were similar in two groups (85.5% vs 92.7%, P = .34). Individually, EBUS-TBNA had the highest yield (41 of 55, 74.5%), which was better than cTBNA (30 of 62, 48.4%, P = .004) or EBB (40 of 111, 36.3%, P < .0001) but not TBLB (78 of 112, 69.6%, P = .54). Adding EBB/TBLB to cTBNA led to an increase in granuloma detection, whereas the addition of TBLB (but not EBB) significantly enhanced the yield of EBUS-TBNA. The procedure time was significantly longer with EBUS-TBNA. No major adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS Individually, EBUS-TBNA has the highest diagnostic yield in sarcoidosis, but it should be combined with TBLB for the optimal yield. The diagnostic yield of cTBNA (plus EBB and TBLB) is similar to EBUS-TBNA plus TBLB. TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov ; No.: NCT01908868; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
BACKGROUND The optimal concentration of lignocaine to be used during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) remains unknown. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of 1% and 2% ...lignocaine solution for topical anesthesia during FB. METHODS Consecutive patients were randomized to receive either 1% or 2% lignocaine solution through the bronchoscope by the “spray-as-you-go” technique. The primary outcome of the study was the assessment of cough by the operator and the patient using the visual analog scale (VAS) and pain assessment using the faces pain rating scale. The secondary outcomes included total lignocaine dose, oxygenation status, adverse reactions related to lignocaine, and others. RESULTS Five hundred patients were randomized (median age, 51 years; 71% men) 1:1 to either group. The median operator VAS score for cough was significantly higher (25 vs 21, P = .015) in the 1% group; however, the patient VAS score was not significantly different (32 vs 27, P = .065). The pain rating was similar between the two groups. The median cumulative dose of lignocaine was significantly higher in the 2% group (397 mg vs 312 mg, P = .0001; 7.1 mg/kg vs 5.7 mg/kg, P = .0001). About 28% of patients in the 2% group exceeded the maximum recommended dose (> 8.2 mg/kg) of lignocaine. No adverse event related to lignocaine overdose was seen in either group. CONCLUSIONS One percent lignocaine was found to be as effective as 2% solution for topical anesthesia during FB, albeit at a significantly lower dose as the latter. Thus, 1% lignocaine should be the preferred concentration for topical anesthesia during FB. TRIAL REGISTRY ClinicalTrials.gov ; No.: NCT01955824; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is the preferred minimally invasive technique for the evaluation of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. Enlarged lymph nodes on computed tomography (CT) are defined as ...those 1 cm or larger in short-axis diameter. Whether there is agreement between the measurements of lymph node size on CT and EBUS remains unknown.
This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. The diameters of lymph nodes were measured in an axis perpendicular to the airway on both CT and EBUS. The correlation and agreement between the two measurements were analyzed.
During the study period, 617 patients (mean age, 46.0 years standard deviation, 15.2), of whom 239 (38.7%) were women, underwent EBUS. A total of 1,153 lymph nodes were measured by CT and EBUS. Although there was a moderate correlation between the two modalities for lymph node size (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.49, p < 0.001), the limits of agreement between CT and EBUS were wide (mean bias, 0.1; limits of agreement, -15.6 to 15.9 mm). The limits of agreement were wide for all categories of lymph nodes (benign vs malignant, distinct vs indistinct margin, and ≤2-cm vs >2-cm nodes).
Despite a significant correlation between CT of the chest and EBUS for measuring the size of intrathoracic lymph nodes, the limits of agreement were fairly wide enough to be clinically acceptable for allowing the use of the two modalities interchangeably for this purpose.
A 32-year-old man presented with severe headache, vomiting, and painless loss of vision of 5 days’ duration. He had no seizures, other neurologic deficits, or fever. Two months prior to presentation, ...he had an episode of hemoptysis of 30 to 50 mL, which resolved spontaneously; there was no recurrence. He reported one to two episodes of epistaxis each month that resolved spontaneously, since childhood. He had no known comorbid illness, prior surgeries, dental procedures, or blood transfusions. He denied any history of substance abuse. He observed that his father and brother also had recurrent self-limited episodes of epistaxis.
A straight metallic tracheal stent can be inserted either during flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. However, in patients with significant airway obstruction or those requiring tumor debulking, rigid ...bronchoscopy is the method of choice. A tracheoscope size 12 or larger is generally required for the introduction of the straight metallic tracheal stent. Herein, we describe a novel method that facilitates the introduction of the straight metallic tracheal stent through a size 8.5 tracheoscope by using the introducer tube of the silicone stent applicator.
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