Predictors of diagnostic yield in bronchoscopy: a retrospective cohort study comparing different combinations of sampling techniques

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The reported diagnostic yield from bronchoscopies in patients with lung cancer varies greatly. The optimal combination of sampling techniques has not been finally established.</p> <p>The objectives of this study were to find the predictors of diagnostic yield in bronchoscopy and to evaluate different combinations of sampling techniques.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All bronchoscopies performed on suspicion of lung malignancy in 2003 and 2004 were reviewed, and 363 patients with proven malignant lung disease were included in the study. Sampling techniques performed were biopsy, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), brushing, small volume lavage (SVL), and aspiration of fluid from the entire procedure. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age, endobronchial visibility, localization (lobe), distance from carina, and tumor size.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a positive diagnostic yield through all procedures were 17.0 (8.5–34.0) for endobronchial lesions, and 2.6 (1.3–5.2) for constriction/compression, compared to non-visible lesions; 3.8 (1.3–10.7) for lesions > 4 cm, 6.7 (2.1–21.8) for lesions 3–4 cm, and 2.5 (0.8–7.9) for lesions 2–3 cm compared with lesions <= 2 cm. The combined diagnostic yield of biopsy and TBNA was 83.7% for endobronchial lesions and 54.2% for the combined group without visible lesions. This was superior to either technique alone, whereas additional brushing, SVL, and aspiration did not significantly increase the diagnostic yield.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In patients with malignant lung disease, visible lesions and larger tumor size were significant predictors of higher diagnostic yield, after adjustment for sex, age, distance from carina, side and lobe. The combined diagnostic yield of biopsy and TBNA was significant higher than with either technique alone.</p

Endoscopia respiratória em 89 pacientes com neoplasia pulmonar Respiratory endoscopy in 89 patients of lung neoplasms

Objetivos: As neoplasias pulmonares são uma das mais freqüentes causas de mortalidade no Brasil. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o diagnóstico dessas neoplasias através da fibrobroncoscopia. Método: Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, 89 pacientes no período de cinco anos, divididos em dois grupos: grupo 1 (n = 53) -- presença de lesão visível à endoscopia, grupo 2 (n = 36) -- ausência de lesões na endoscopia. Na revisão dos prontuários retiraram-se os dados epidemiológicos, os achados endoscópicos, os exames cito e anatomopatológicos, bem como o exame que proporcionou o diagnóstico final. Resultados: Os achados endoscópicos indiretos de neoplasia corresponderam a 59,5% e a presença de tumor na luz brônquica a 48,8%. O tipo histológico mais freqüente foi o carcinoma epidermóide (59,5%), seguido do adenocarcinoma (15,7%), carcinoma indiferenciado de pequenas células (10,1%) e outros (14,7%). Nos tumores visíveis ou não na endoscopia o estudo anatomopatológico da biópsia brônquica e/ou da citopatologia do lavado e do escovado brônquico mostrou sensibilidade de 83,1% no diagnóstico de neoplasia pulmonar. Quando a lesão era visível à inspeção endoscópica, a sensibilidade atingiu percentual de 96,2%, sendo a biópsia positiva em 94,2% e a citologia em 43,75%. Quando não se observava lesão brônquica o rendimento foi sensivelmente menor (63,8%): a biópsia mostrou percentual de 72,7% e a citopatologia de 38,4%. As complicações menores decorrentes do exame endoscópico ocorreram em 11,2% dos pacientes; não ocorreram complicações graves. Conclusão: A fibrobroncoscopia foi um excelente método para investigação de pacientes com suspeita de neoplasia pulmonar com sensibilidade de 83,1%; sua sensibilidade foi maior nas lesões visíveis. Nas lesões não visíveis a sensibilidade aumentou com a biópsia endobrônquica.<br>Objectives: Lung neoplasms are one of the most common causes of mortality in Brazil. The objective of this survey is to evaluate the diagnosis of these neoplasms using fiberoptics bronchoscopy. Methods: 89 patients were analyzed retrospectively in a period of five years. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 53) -- the presence of visible lesion on endoscopy, Group 2 (n = 36) -- the absence of visible lesion on endoscopy. Epidemiological elements, endoscopic discoveries, cytopathologic and anatomopathologic examination were performed in the review, as well the examination that provided the final diagnosis. Results: The findings of indirect endoscopies of neoplasms corresponded to 59.5% and the presence of tumor inside bronchi was 48.8%. The most frequent histologic type was the epidermoid carcinoma (59.5%), followed by adenocarcinoma (15.7%), small-cell carcinoma (10.1%), and others (14.7%). In endoscopically visible or not visible tumors, the anatomopathologic study of bronchial biopsy and/or the cytopathologic examination of the bronchial washing and brushing showed a sensitivity of 83.1% in the diagnosis of lung neoplasms. When the lesion was visible on endoscopy, the sensitivity was 96.2%: positive biopsy was 94.2%, and cytology was 43.75%. When the lesion in the bronchi is not observed, its addition was significantly small (63.8%), namely: biopsy registered 72.7% and cytopathology 38.4%. Not significant complications resulting from the endoscopic examination occurred in 11.2% of patients and there were no serious complications. Conclusion: The fiberoptics bronchoscopy was an excellent method to investigate patients with suspicion of lung neoplasms, with 83.1% of sensitivity. This sensitivity was higher in visible lesions and in non-visible lesions when endobronchial biopsy was used

A case of pulmonary cryptococcosis followed by pleuritis in an apparently immunocompetent patient during fluconazole treatment.

Cryptococcal pleuritis is rare in individuals with no underlying disease. We report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis followed by pleuritis in a patient on fluconazole treatment. Biopsy of the pleura revealed a granuloma and a cryptococcal body, while PCR and sequence analysis of extracted DNA from the pleura proved the presence of Cryptococcus species, most likely C. neoformans. Voriconazole with flucytosine and drainage of the pleural effusion were effective in treating the patient