The Effect of Hounsfield Unit Value on the Differentiation of Malignant/Benign Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy and Masses Diagnosed by Endobronchial Ultrasonography.

Aim: In cases where standardized maximum uptake (SUVmax) values in positron emission tomography (PET-CT) were not sufficient to differentiate mediastinal lymphadenopathy and masses from malignant or benign, the contribution of Hounsfield unit (HU) values in thorax computed tomography to the diagnosis was evaluated. Material Method: The study was conducted by evaluating the data of 182 patients between 2019 and 2023. HU values on non-contrast thorax computed tomography and PET-CT SUVmax values of biopsied masses and lymph nodes were compared with histopathological diagnoses. Results: Patients, 58 females (31.9%) and 124 males (68.1%), who underwent EBUS were included in the study. Biopsies were taken from 233 stations (199 lymph nodes, 34 masses) from 182 patients. A total of 135 of the biopsies taken from 233 stations were histopathologically malignant and 98 were benign. While PET-CT SUVmax values of cases with benign histopathology were 4.5 ± 3.5, it was 7.6 ± 4.2 in patients with malignant pathology (p<0.05). The HU value on non-contrast thorax tomography in patients with benign histopathology was 43.1 ± 15.7, and in patients with malignant histopathology it was 40.5 ± 13.7 (p>0.05). When HU was compared according to lung cancer type, it was found to be significantly higher in non-small cell lung cancer (p=0.035). A weak (r=0.182) positive and significant relationship (p<0.01) was found between PET-CT values and HU values in thorax computed tomography. Conclusion: While positron emission tomography maintains its importance in the differentiation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and masses from malignant to non-malignant, it was concluded that HU values in computed tomography are not sufficient to distinguish malignant/non-malignant.

EBUS-TBNA diagnosis of mediastinal melioidosis in patient presented with lymphadenopathy and SVC thrombosis: A rare manifestation in non-diabetic patient.

Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease that ranks as northeastern Thailand's third most common infectious cause of death. The manifestations of melioidosis vary depending on the organs involved and often resemble malignancy and tuberculosis. We present a case of an atypical melioidosis presentation in a patient with low-grade fever and facial swelling without any risk factors. Chest CT revealed a 3.3-cm heterogeneous enhancing right lower paratracheal lymph nodes with thrombosis of the superior vena cava and azygos vein. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of lymph node was performed, and Burkholderia pseudomallei was identified through lymph node culture. The patient underwent a three-week intravenous course of ceftazidime and a 12-week oral course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Oral anticoagulation was also administered. Follow-up computed tomography of the thorax after completion of treatment revealed no residual lymphadenopathy and thrombosis.

Disseminated Tuberculosis of the Lungs, Brain, Pleurae, Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy, and Elbow Joint in an Immunocompetent Indian Female: A First-of-Its-Type Case.

Tuberculosis is usually seen in the lungs. However, the involvement of various extrapulmonary sites is due to the spread of the bacteria via blood, lymphatic, or direct inoculation. The present case is a rare presentation of tuberculosis in an Indian female who came with complaints of swelling in her right elbow joint, headache, and cough with expectoration. A diagnostic evaluation resulted in the isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the sputum samples and elbow joints, which was further supported by an exudative picture on the cerebrospinal fluid examination. The findings were supported by advanced radiometric techniques. She was commenced on an antituberculous treatment per her weight. Disseminated tuberculosis is a challenging diagnosis as there is often a delay in clinical presentation, a lack of awareness about the possibility of multiple sites with tuberculous infection in clinicians, and a time lag in the availability of the culture results.

Primary Rifampicin Mono-Resistant Tuberculosis of the Cervical, Mediastinal, and Axillary Lymphadenopathy in an Indian Male: A First-of-Its-Type Case.

Tuberculosis is common in endemic countries. However, extrapulmonary tuberculosis is relatively rare, and primary extrapulmonary rifampicin mono-resistant tuberculosis of the cervical, mediastinal, and axillary lymph nodes simultaneously without pulmonary focus in an immunocompetent male has never been reported. Herein is a case of a 27-year-old Indian male with no previous history of tuberculosis who was diagnosed after an extensive clinical assessment with a radiometric and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification assay of the swollen lymph nodes. He was put on antituberculous treatment per the all-oral longer regimen of the national program.

Clinical values of different specimen preparation methods for the diagnosis of lung cancer by EBUS-TBNA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: EBUS-TBNA has emerged as an important minimally invasive procedure for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of different specimen preparation from aspirates on the diagnosis of lung cancer. METHODS: 181 consecutive patients with known or suspected lung cancer accompanied by hilar / mediastinal lymphadenopathy underwent EBUS-TBNA from January 2019 to December 2022. Specimens obtained by EBUS-TBNA were processed by three methods: Traditional smear cytology of aspirates (TSC), liquid-based cytology of aspirates (LBC) and histopathology of core biopsies. RESULTS: EBUS-TBNA was performed in 181 patients on 213 lymph nodes, the total positive rate of the combination of three specimen preparation methods was 80.7%. The diagnostic positive rate of histopathology was 72.3%, TSC was 68.1%, and LBC was 65.3%, no significant differences was observed (p = 0.29); however, statistically significant difference was noted between the combination of three preparation methods and any single specimen preparation methods (p = 0.002). The diagnostic sensitivity of histopathology combined with TSC and histopathology combined with LBC were 96.5 and 94.8%, the specificity was 95.0% and 97.5%, the PPV was 98.8% and 99.4%, the NPV was 86.4% and 81.2%, the diagnostic accuracy was 96.2% and 95.3%, respectively; The sensitivity and accuracy of above methods were higher than that of single specimen preparation, but lower than that of combination of three preparation methods. CONCLUSION: When EBUS-TBNA is used for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer, histopathology combined with TSC can achieve enough diagnostic efficiency and better cost-effectiveness.

Early experience of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy: a case series from Sabah, Malaysia.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Continuous efforts are underway to improve the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the introduction of a new technique called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method allows for the retrieval of larger and well-preserved histologic samples from the mediastinum. We present a case series of four patients who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC procedures in our centre. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using a convex probe EBUS scope (Pentax EB-1970UK). Two patients were diagnosed with malignancy and two with benign disorders (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the malignant cases, both EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy provided a diagnosis but cryobiopsy yielded more material for ancillary tests in one patient. However, in the benign cases, there was discordance between EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy. Only cryobiopsy detected granuloma in the patient with TB (tuberculosis), and in the patient with silicosis, TBNC provided a better overall histological evaluation, leading to a definitive diagnosis. No complications were observed. This case series supports the potential diagnostic value of combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC, particularly in benign mediastinal lesions (granulomatous diseases), and in cases requiring additional molecular tests in cancer diagnosis.

Exploring a new lymph node biopsy technique: case series from Sabah, MalaysiaWe explored a new technique for lung diagnosis called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method helps get larger and well-preserved tissue samples from the chest area. In our study, we used this technique on four patients alongside the established method called EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). All procedures were done with the patient under general anesthesia using a specific type of scope. Two patients were found to have cancer, and two had non-cancerous conditions (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the cancer cases, both methods provided a diagnosis, but the cryobiopsy gave more material for additional tests in one patient. However, in non-cancer cases, there were differences between the two methods. Only the cryobiopsy detected granulomas in the tuberculosis patient, and in the silicosis patient, cryobiopsy gave a better overall tissue evaluation, leading to a clear diagnosis. No complications were seen in any of the cases. This study suggests that combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC can be valuable, especially for non-cancerous chest lesions (like granulomatous diseases) and when extra tests are needed for cancer diagnosis.

Tubercular Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy Presenting as an Isolated Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy and the "Sail" Sign.

Tuberculosis continues to remain a major public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Unilateral vocal cord palsy in adults as the sole manifestation of tubercular mediastinal lymphadenopathy has been rarely reported. A 22-year-old lady presented with a history of hoarseness of voice for the past month. The general physical examination revealed palpable lymph nodes in the left axilla. Axial CT sections at the level of the vocal cords demonstrated dilation of the right laryngeal ventricle and mild anteromedial deviation of the ipsilateral arytenoid cartilage ("sail" sign) suggestive of a right vocal cord palsy. Contrast-enhanced CT chest revealed right paratracheal, right hilar, and subcarinal lymph nodes with areas of central necrosis. She was started on anti-tubercular therapy and her voice completely improved after three months of treatment. The "Sail" sign on axial CT scans is a useful radiological sign for diagnosing unilateral vocal cord palsy. Rarely, compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes due to tuberculosis can present with unilateral vocal cord palsy as the sole manifestation in adults.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and well-established method for diagnosing and staging lung cancer and other conditions associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Efforts have been made to enhance the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the recent introduction of EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TMC). This advancement facilitates the acquisition of larger and better-preserved tissue samples from the mediastinum. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of EBUS-TMC in the diagnosis of malignant lesions and its effectiveness in relation to benign conditions, such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. Methods: We searched the PubMed® database for relevant English articles published up to July 1, 2023. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive bibliographic analysis with a particular emphasis on diagnostic yield, safety profile, and procedural technicalities. Key Content and Findings: Our narrative review, comprising seven publications, emphasizes the significance of EBUS-TMC as an effective technique for obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions while maintaining an excellent safety profile. Furthermore, its capability for obtaining larger tissue samples facilitates molecular and immunological analysis in non-small cell lung cancer. Conclusions: EBUS-TMC exhibits significant efficacy with regard to obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate uncertainties regarding the selection of suitable cases and technical intricacies.

Transbronchial lymph node forceps biopsy as a novel tool in diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy is an issue of debate. Lymph nodes may be enlarged due to a variety of inflammatory, infectious, or malignant reasons. Therefore, obtaining samples from the affected nodes is crucial for the diagnosis. Usually, these patients are subjected to TBNA (EBUS or conventional) or mediastinoscopy if TBNA is not conclusive. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of this new technique of transbronchial forceps biopsy for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. METHODS: The study included 18 patients with confirmed mediastinal lymphadenopathy who were admitted in Chest Department, Cairo University in the period from December 2019 to December 2020. All patients were subjected to flexible bronchoscopy with conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) and transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) from the enlarged mediastinal lymph node in the same procedure. RESULTS: we found the technique of LN-TBFB safe with no serious complications. We were able to reach a diagnosis in 7/7 (100%) cases of sarcoidosis, 6/7 (85.7%) cases of malignant lymph nodes. We had three cases where the histopathology showed hyperactive follicular hyperplasia, and a single case of tuberculous lymphadenitis. C-TBNA was diagnostic in 71.4% of sarcoidosis cases, 42.9% of malignant cases, but failed to diagnose the one patient with tuberculous lymphadenitis. CONCLUSION: Lymph node transbronchial forceps biopsy (LN-TBFB) was found to be safe and effective in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. We strongly advocate the use of this minimally invasive technique for diagnosing pathologically enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, as a last step before mediastinoscopy.

Recurrent Heerfordt-Waldenström Syndrome with thyroid and meningeal involvement in a Chinese woman.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology, manifesting with bilateral hilar adenopathy, pulmonary reticular opacities, skin, joint or eye lesions. Heerfordt-Waldenström Syndrome - a constellation of facial palsy, fever, uveitis and parotitis - is a rare presentation of this disorder. A 47-year-old Chinese woman presented with unintentional weight loss, lethargy with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Biopsy of the right paratracheal lymph node via mediastinoscopy showed mycobacterial granulomatous lymphadenitis consistent with tuberculosis with several acid-fast bacilli identified. Lymphoproliferative disorder was ruled out. She was started on treatment for tuberculosis. Eleven weeks into treatment, she developed a right facial palsy accompanied with fever, uveitis and occipital headache. At this juncture, further history revealed a background of recurrent alternating facial palsy and parotid gland enlargement which was treated for Bell's palsy by three different doctors. New nodules appeared in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Biopsy of a palpable thyroid nodule and a right supraclavicular lymph nodule showed histological features suggestive of sarcoidosis. Fungal and mycobacterial infections were ruled out. In addition, examination of her cerebral spinal fluid showed lymphocytic inflammation. The serum ACE level was not raised. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis with incomplete features of Heerfordt-Waldenström Syndrome along with thyroid and meningeal involvement was made. The patient was commenced on prednisolone and azathioprine and her symptoms responded shortly after. We present a rare case of Heerfordt-Waldenström Syndrome with thyroid and meningeal involvement in a Chinese woman.

Disseminated Tuberculosis of the Lungs, Pleura, Mediastinal Lymph Nodes, and Pericardium: A Rare Case Report.

Tuberculosis is mainly known to affect the lungs, but it can manifest at various extrapulmonary sites. Disseminated tuberculosis is a relatively rare clinical condition, and cases with no history of the disease are sparse. A case of an 18-year-old Indian male is presented. He came with complaints of chest pain, coughing with expectoration, and loss of appetite. The diagnostic workup led to a definite diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis with involvement of the lungs, pleura, mediastinal lymph nodes, and pericardium. He was initiated on a fixed-dose anti-tubercular treatment per the national guidelines.

A Rare Presentation of Acute Kidney Injury in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report.

Acute kidney injury from bilateral renal infiltration is rare in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a three-month history of night sweats, weight loss, fever, and fatigue. Clinical evaluation revealed anemia, edema, cervical lymphadenopathy, and elevated blood pressure. Initial lab results indicated severe kidney injury, initially suspected to be chronic kidney disease, later ruled out. Radiological assessments confirmed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. A cervical lymph node biopsy led to a diagnosis of DLBCL. Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy improved renal function and hematological parameters. Subsequent staging CT confirmed lymphadenopathy. Close monitoring revealed a complete return to normal renal function after one month. Further follow-up was missed. This case emphasizes diagnostic complexities and the value of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex clinical presentations.

Isolated Tuberculous Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in an Immunocompetent Child Without Pulmonary Involvement: A Case Report.

Tuberculosis continues to be a big challenge to public health. Isolated cases of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy in an immunocompetent child without pulmonary involvement are relatively rare. Compared to adults, children are susceptible to such infections; however, due to a lack of specific clinical features and the involvement of invasive techniques in establishing the diagnosis, there are chances of a diagnostic delay. A case of a nine-year-old girl who reported having chest pain for one month is presented. In the absence of the constitutional signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, a diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomography, histopathology, and cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification of samples obtained from endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. She was put on anti-tuberculous treatment for her weight.

A Case of Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosed by Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Forceps Biopsies.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has proven to be highly accurate in lung cancer diagnosis and staging. However, its efficacy in diagnosing lymphoma, especially Hodgkin's lymphoma, remains controversial, mainly due to the need for larger biopsies for definitive diagnosis. This case study presents a 53-year-old HIV-positive man with a controlled viral load, who presented with a large left hilar mass and a left upper lobe nodule, both showing significant uptake on positron emission tomography scans. The patient underwent bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, EBUS-TBNA using an Olympus™ Vizishot 2 needle (Center Valley, PA), and EBUS-guided transbronchial forceps biopsies (TBFB) of a left hilar lymph node using a 1.8 mm Boston Scientific™ forceps (Marlborough, MA). The EBUS-TBNA revealed granulomas, while the subsequent EBUS-guided TBFB revealed nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma. EBUS-TBFB may be a promising technique for obtaining larger tissue samples and enhancing diagnostic yield in cases of mediastinal lymphadenopathy with suspected lymphoma.

Atypical Manifestations of Primary Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma With Signet Ring Features: A Case Report.

Primary pulmonary malignancies are one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The most common non-small cell lung malignancy is adenocarcinoma, but there are many subtypes with different molecular and genetic expressions causing different manifestations. Uncommon manifestations include persistent back pain and tracheal bronchial tumors. More than 95% of reported tracheal bronchial tumors are benign and thus are rarely biopsied. There are no reported cases of secondary tracheal bronchial tumors due to pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Today, we are reporting the first case report of an uncommon manifestation of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Advantages and drawbacks associated with the use of endosonography in sarcoidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a real-time, minimally invasive procedure for sampling intrathoracic lymph nodes. Herein, we discuss EBUS-guided procedures, their benefits, and drawbacks in diagnosing sarcoidosis. AREAS COVERED: We first describe the utility of various endosonographic imaging techniques like B-mode, elastography, and doppler imaging. We then review the diagnostic yield and safety of EBUS-TBNA and compare it with the other available diagnostic modalities. Subsequently, we discuss the technical aspects of EBUS-TBNA influencing the diagnostic yield. Recent advances in EBUS-guided diagnostics like EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB) and EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBMC) are reviewed. Finally, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages associated with EBUS-TBNA in sarcoidosis and provide an expert opinion on the optimal use of this procedure in patients with suspected sarcoidosis. EXPERT OPINION: EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive, safe procedure with a good diagnostic yield, and should be the preferred diagnostic modality for sampling intrathoracic lymph nodes in patients with suspected sarcoidosis. For optimal diagnostic yield, EBUS-TBNA should be combined with endobronchial biopsy (EBB) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). Newer endosonographic techniques like EBUS-IFB and EBMC might obviate the need for EBB and TBLB due to their superior diagnostic yield.

Role of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Characterization of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: To assess the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the characterization of mediastinal lymph nodes and compare them with morphological parameters. METHODS: A total of 43 untreated patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy underwent DW and T2 weighted MRI followed by pathological examination in the period from January 2015 to June 2016. The presence of diffusion restriction, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, short axis dimensions (SAD), and T2 heterogeneous signal intensity of the lymph nodes were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and forward step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The ADC of malignant lymphadenopathy was significantly lower (0.873 ± 0.109 × 10-3 mm2/s) than that of benign lymphadenopathy (1.663 ± 0.311 × 10-3 mm2/s) (p = 0.001). When an ADC of 1.0955 × 10-3 mm2/s was used as a threshold value for differentiating malignant from benign nodes, the best results were obtained with a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 96%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.996. A model combining the other three MRI criteria showed less sensitivity (88.9%) and specificity (92%) compared to the ADC-only model. CONCLUSION: The ADC was the strongest independent predictor of malignancy. The addition of other parameters failed to show any increase in sensitivity and specificity.

[A rare and atypical form of tularemia in a context of immunodepression]. / Forme rare et atypique de tularémie dans un contexte d'immunodépression.

INTRODUCTION: We present an original severe case of tularemia with cutaneous damage, lymphadenopathy and pericarditis ; pathology of increasing incidence in Europe due to global warming. OBSERVATION: A 33-years-old women consulted emergency unit for altered general condition, anorexia, hyperthermia at 38,3°C, dyspnea and dry cough evolving for few days. Her only history was Crohn's disease with introduction of an anti-TNF alpha for 3 months. The interrogation found regular forest walks ¼. Treatment with Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 1g 3 times daily and curative anticoagulation was started after the initial diagnosis of infectious pneumonia associated with pulmonary embolism. The patient reconsulted 2 weeks later for clinical deterioration associated with skin lesions. The chest CT scan showed increased mediastinal lymphadenopathy and a circumferential pericardial effusion ; quantified at 5mm on transthoracic ultrasound. Tularemia serology was positive in IgG at 400IU/mL. Despite an adapted antibiotic therapy with Ciprofloxacin, the patient presented a new brutal clinical deterioration. A pericardiocentesis was performed and the analysis revealed a predominantly neutrophilic exudate and a strongly positive PCR Francisella tularensis. Gentamicin 5mg/kg was associated allowing a resolution of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: Tularemia is one of the pathologies whose atypical presentation with pericarditis (favored by a certain immunodepression) worsens the prognosis. Global warming influences the epidemiology of inoculation diseases, including tularemia, making it more frequent.

Concomitant Hodgkin's Lymphoma in a Patient with Tuberculous Spondylitis.

Concomitant Hodgkin's lymphoma with tuberculosis is an exceedingly rare clinical scenario and a condition that is difficult to manage due to similar clinical presentation. This case report describes the same in a 44-year-old male patient diagnosed with Koch's and initiated on antituberculosis therapy, based on confirmation of findings from the spine biopsy and culture. The patient's clinical condition worsened despite being on treatment for tuberculosis. Hence, further work up of the patient was done which included mediastinoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound. Biopsy samples from a conglomerate mass in the lower cervical region and mediastinum revealed Hodgkin's lymphoma of the nodular sclerosis type. This time, the patient showed significant improvement following treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy along with antituberculosis therapy.