Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasms.
To evaluate the usefulness of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNAB) in the primary diagnosis of lung cancer, we undertook a prospective study of this technique, assessing specimens from 124 patients over a 3-yr period. Cytologic and/or histologic material obtained by an alternate technique was available for 105 (84.7%) of the patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of TBNAB was comparable with that of other bronchoscopic techniques; with the addition of TBNAB, the overall sensitivity of bronchoscopy was increased from 54% to 72% (P less than 0.001). Because of its usefulness for diagnosis of submucosal tumors and its safety, we conclude that TBNAB is a useful addition to current methods for the diagnosis of suspicious pulmonary lesions.
Bhat
N
N
Department of Pathology, Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19151.
Bhagat
P
P
Pearlman
E S
ES
Kane
G
G
Figueroa
W
W
Kannan
V
V
Kline
T S
TS
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies