title: Efficacy and safety of the eXcelon transbronchial aspiration needle in mediastinal lymph node enlargement: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several different types of needles for transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) exist in the market. Recently, the eXcelon transbronchial needle (Boston Scientific, Boston, Mass., USA) was commercialized, and to our knowledge, no comparative studies with other types of needles have been performed up to date.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic yield and safety of the 21-gauge eXcelon transbronchial needle in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions and to compare it with a 22-gauge Wang cytology needle (Bard-Wang, Billerica, Mass., USA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control prospective study was conducted. The study group included 42 TBNA of mediastinal nodes performed in 35 patients with the eXcelon 21-gauge needle from January to June 2005. A control group included 110 TBNA carried out in 99 patients that underwent mediastinal lymph node sampling using a MW-122 needle from June 2002 to December 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistical differentiation in the characteristics of the disease, mediastinal lymph nodes or number of passes between cases and controls. Adequate samples were obtained in 30 (71.4%) cases and 81 (73.6%) controls (p = 0.8). Technical complications occurred in 7 (16.6%) cases and 14 (12.7%) controls (p = 0.7). The only clinical complication was bleeding presented in 2 (4.8%) cases and 3 (2.7%) controls (p = 0.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The eXcelon 21-gauge transbronchial needle is as effective and safe as the MW-122 needle in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node enlargement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Xeral Hospital-Cíes, Vigo, Spain. jfv01po@saludalia.com
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Villar
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leiro
authors.forename: Monserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Represas
authors.forename: Maribel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botana
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piñeiro
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000295:instrumentation; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results