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. 2007 Nov;12(6):848-55.
doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2007.01164.x.

Transbronchial needle aspiration accurately diagnoses subcentimetre mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes detected by integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography

Li-Han Hsu  1 , Jen-Sheng Ko, Dong-Ling You, Chia-Chuan Liu, Nei-Min Chu
Affiliations

Transbronchial needle aspiration accurately diagnoses subcentimetre mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes detected by integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography

Li-Han Hsu et al. Respirology. 2007 Nov.

Abstract

Objective and background: Integrated PET and CT (PET/CT) is accurate in detecting hilar-mediastinal metastases. However, it has a moderate positive predictive value, necessitating pathological verification, especially in situations in which the result would make a difference to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for hilar-mediastinal lesions suspicious on PET/CT.

Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on 19 patients with a total of 25 positive hilar-mediastinal lymph nodes localized on PET/CT. Standard TBNA technique with rapid on-site cytopathology was performed.

Results: The mean short-axis diameter of the positive lymph nodes identified on PET/CT was 9.9 +/- 3.0 mm. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT-guided TBNA were 81.8%, 100% and 84%, respectively. The number of needle passes to successful lymph node aspiration or a diagnosis of cancer was 2.36 +/- 0.49. Nine of the 25 positive lymph nodes (36%) on PET/CT were smaller than 1.0 cm. The accuracy and sensitivity of TBNA for these subcentimetre nodes was 88.9% and 87.5%, respectively. TBNA replaced surgical sampling in 15 patients (78.9%) with positive lymph nodes on PET/CT. In seven non-small cell lung cancer patients, diagnosis and staging were possible in the one procedure. No complications were encountered.

Conclusion: PET/CT can identify small malignant lymph nodes that can then be successfully biopsied by TBNA with on-site cytopathology.

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