title: [Validity of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration  of mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes in daily clinical practice].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  According to recent clinical trials, EUS-FNA has a high diagnostic yield in case of mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy. However, it is questionable, if the results of centers of excellence can be maintained in daily clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the results of 141 EUS-FNP in 121 patients (female 25, male 86; mean age 61,5 years, range 22-87) of 119 mediastinal and 22 abdominal lymph nodes, performed under routine conditions in daily clinical practice in a community hospital. Histopathological examination of operative specimens or clinical follow-up served as gold standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 124/141 (80 %) of cases, adequate specimens could be obtained, irrespective of lymph node size. During follow-up, the rate of adequate specimens obtained increased from 77 % (2002-2006) to 98 % (2007-2010). Sensitivity and specifity for the diagnosis of malignancy was 77 and 100 % (diagnostic accuracy 92 %). During follow-up, a relevant learning curve could be observed with a significant increase in sensitivity (72 to 80 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparison to the results of centers of excellence, our diagnostic accuracy is slightly inferior. However, even in daily routine praxis, EUS-FNP is a safe and accurate method of sampling mediastinal and abdominal lymph nodes.
authors: Klinik für Allgemeine Innere Medizin, Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Infektiologie, Katharinenhospital, Klinikum Stuttgart. w.bohle@klinikum-stuttgart.de
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Bohle
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Meier
authors: W G
authors: WG
authors: Zoller
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult