Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Contrast-enhanced endobronchial ultrasound (CE-EBUS) is a minimally invasive technique that combines traditional endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) with a contrast agent (sulfur hexafluoride), enhancing the visualization of blood flow in mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. This study aimed to assess the use of CE-EBUS in patients with advanced neoplasms and hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy, particularly to improve diagnostic accuracy and expedite sample collection. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from April 2021 to December 2023, involving 49 patients divided into two groups: EBUS (n = 26) and CE-EBUS (n = 23). Patients had advanced neoplasms with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, including bulky masses and nodal metastases with central necrosis. In the CE-EBUS group, 4.8 mL of sulfur hexafluoride was administered intravenously. Morphological, echogenic, and vascular characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, sample collection adequacy and molecular testing were compared between the groups. Results: The diagnostic accuracy in CE-EBUS was similar to EBUS (21 vs. 19 patients), with no significant difference (p = 0.100). However, for patients with bulky masses and necrosis, the molecular assessment rate was significantly higher in the CE-EBUS group (81.8%) compared to the EBUS group (33.3%) (p = 0.014). Conclusions: CE-EBUS-TBNA could improve the accuracy of molecular assessments in patients with bulky, necrotic lymphadenopathy and could help collect vital neoplastic tissue for molecular testing.
Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine
DOI: 10.3390/jcm14082800
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4409569192