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Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of three existing prediction tools in visually identifying a malignant lymph node. Methods: Between April 2016 and January 2021, a total of 827 lymph nodes of 259 patients (211 males, 48 females; mean age: 61.1±7.2 years; range, 41 to 79 years) who underwent endobronchial ultrasound procedure for diagnosis and/or staging of lung cancer and diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy of unknown origin were retrospectively analyzed. This external validation study was designed to compare the diagnostic yields of the prediction tools developed by Shafiek et al., Alici et al., and Canada Lymph Node Score (CLNS). Endobronchial ultrasoundguided transbronchial needle aspiration results and predictions were compared to gold-standard tool. Results: Overall, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration had a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and accuracy of 95.6%, 100%, 100%, 97.6%, and 98.4%, respectively. Diagnostic performances of proposed tools were quite remarkable. Among them, Alici algorithm had a higher sensitivity and negative predictive value, which were matched by excellent specificity and positive predictive value offered by CLNS ≥3 and Shafiek tool. The area under the curve value of CLNS ≥3 was higher than Shafiek tool and CLNS ≥2. Conclusion: Conventional prediction tools relying on simple real-time sonographic features were found to be consistent by the means of diagnostic performance in this external validation dataset. Despite being inferior to cytology, their superior performance was proven with defined individual strengths and weaknesses.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review the risk factors for silicosis together with survival analysis and a perspective for lung transplantation with data from a single center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of denim sandblasters who were referred to our center between January 2006 and December 2011 and evaluated 219 patients with a history of denim sandblasting with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years until 2016. We analyzed several personal and occupational features, together with functional and radiologic data. RESULTS: Of the 219 denim sandblasters, 107 (49%) had been diagnosed with silicosis. In the logistic regression analysis, the duration of exposure was the only independent risk factor for the development of silicosis, indicating a 9% increased risk of silicosis for every month of exposure (p<0.001; odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval 1.050-1.132). Of the patients, 7 (3%) died. A forced expiratory volume in the first second of <44% and a forced vital capacity of <47% were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Mortality was significantly higher in the international labor office category 3 patients, and 5-year survival rates of patients with A, B, and C lung opacities were 88%, 67%, and 25%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Silicosis still kills young workers. Severe radiologic involvement and decreased lung volumes are related to mortality, and lung transplantation is the only therapeutic option.