title: Comparison of 19-gauge eXcelon and WANG MW-319 transbronchial aspiration needles.
abstract: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) using 19-gauge needles can obtain larger histological specimens for hilar-mediastinal diagnosis. A new 19-gauge eXcelon needle was introduced in Taiwan in July 2012. We prospectively enrolled patients with hilar-mediastinal lesions and pathology results of suspected benign origin or lymphoproliferative processes, to perform TBNA using a 19-gauge eXcelon needle, between July 2012 and December 2012. The results were compared with historical control of TBNA using a WANG MW-319 needle between January 2011 and June 2012. The procedure was performed by the same pulmonologist, and rapid on-site cytologic evaluation was used. The 19-gauge eXcelon needle was used in nine patients with 15 lymph nodes aspirated, with a mean diameter of 23.3 ± 10.7 mm. The mean number of needle passes was 2.7 ± 1.4, with a diagnostic accuracy of 77.8%. The MW-319 needle was used in 12 patients with 18 lymph nodes aspirated, with a mean diameter of 21.3 ± 5.7 mm. The mean number of needle passes was 2.2 ± 0.4, with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.0%. Neither technical nor major clinical complications were noted in either group. We concluded that the 19-gauge eXcelon needle was as safe and effective as the MW-319 needle. A more adequate specimen could be obtained and fewer needle passes were required with the MW-319 needle, although the difference did not reach significance.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology College of Medical Science and Technology Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan; Department of Medicine National Yang-Ming University Medical School Taipei Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Taipei Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Han
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Taipei Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Taipei Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jen-Sheng
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Taipei Taiwan.
authors.forename: An-Chen
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Taipei Taiwan.
authors.forename: Nei-Min
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Chu
keywords: Bronchoscopy; diagnosis; histology; mediastinum; transbronchial needle aspiration