Contribution of cell block obtained by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of malignant diseases and sarcoidosis.

AIM

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a safe and minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in outpatient settings. Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and malignant diseases. This study focused on the role of cell block (CB) analysis in determining the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA in malignant diseases and sarcoidosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted at a training and research hospital. Records of patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA between March 2011 and December 2014 for diagnosed sarcoidosis or malignancy were retrospectively analyzed. Results of all EBUS-TBNA smears and CB were separately evaluated to determine the diagnostic value of each.

RESULTS

There were 84 sarcoidosis and 179 malignancy patients. In the malignancy group, CB contributed to cancer diagnosis in 15 (8.3%) patients and subclassification in 19 (10.6%) patients. In the sarcoidosis group, for 45.2% of patients (38/84), smears were not diagnostic but CB showed granulomatous inflammation.

CONCLUSION

CB significantly increases the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA for sarcoidosis. In our study, in the malignancy group the diagnostic yield was low but it was helpful for subclassification, especially for adenocarcinoma.