Transbronchial needle aspirates: Comparison of two preparation methods
Date
2005
Authors
Diacon A.H.
Schuurmans M.M.
Theron J.
Brundyn K.
Louw M.
Wright C.A.
Bolliger C.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Study objectives: Transbronchial needle aspiration has evolved as a key bronchoscopic sampling method. Specimen handling and preparation are underrated yet crucial aspects of the technique. This study was designed to identify which of two widely practiced sample preparation methods has a higher yield. Design: Prospective comparison of two diagnostic methods. Setting: Tertiary academic hospital. Patients: Consecutive patients undergoing transbronchial needle aspiration. Interventions: Transbronchial aspirates were obtained pairwise. One specimen was placed directly onto a slide and smears were prepared on site (ie, the direct technique), and the other specimen was deposited into a vial containing 95% alcohol and further prepared in the laboratory (ie, the fluid technique). In total, 282 pairs of samples were aspirated from 145 target sites (paratracheal, 10 sites; tracheobronchial, 101 sites; hilar, 17 sites; endobronchial or peripheral, 17 sites). Measurements and results: The measured outcome was the presence of diagnostic material at the final laboratory assessment. At least one diagnostic aspirate was obtained in 66% of 86 investigated patients (small cell lung cancer, 18 patients; non-small cell lung cancer, 47 patients; other diagnoses, 21 patients). The direct technique had a better yield overall than the fluid technique (positive aspirates, 36.2% vs 12.4%, respectively; p < 0.01), as well as after stratification for tumor type and for anatomic site. Conclusion: The direct technique is superior to the fluid technique for the preparation of transbronchial needle aspirates.
Description
Keywords
adult, article, bronchoscopy, diagnostic procedure, female, human, intermethod comparison, laboratory diagnosis, lung non small cell cancer, lung small cell cancer, major clinical study, male, needle biopsy, priority journal, smear, transbronchial biopsy, adolescent, aged, cohort analysis, comparative study, cytodiagnosis, lung tumor, methodology, middle aged, pathology, probability, prospective study, sensitivity and specificity, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biopsy, Needle, Bronchoscopy, Cohort Studies, Cytodiagnosis, Female, Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Male, Middle Aged, Probability, Prospective Studies, Sensitivity and Specificity
Citation
Chest
127
6
127
6