Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration by experienced pulmonologists: a cusum analysis

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 50; no. 5; p. 1701102
• Main Authors: Leong, Paul, Deshpande, Sheetal, Irving, Louis B, Bardin, Philip G, Farmer, Michael W, Jennings, Barton R, Steinfort, Daniel P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England European Respiratory Society Journals Ltd 01.11.2017
• Subjects: Australia; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - diagnosis; Clinical Competence - statistics & numerical data; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration - adverse effects; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration - methods; Endoscopy; Esophagus; Humans; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lymph; Lymph nodes; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Lymphatic system; Malignancy; Mediastinitis; Mediastinum - pathology; Neoplasm Staging; Pneumothorax; Pneumothorax - etiology; Prospective Studies; Pulmonologists; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasound; Visual discrimination learning
• ISSN: 0903-1936; 1399-3003
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01102-2017

Endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) is an established, minimally invasive way to sample intrathoracic abnormalities. The EBUS scope can be passed into the oesophagus to perform endoscopic ultrasound with bronchoscope-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA). In cases of suspected lung cancer, a combination of the two techniques is now recommended by consensus guidelines. EBUS TBNA is usually performed by pulmonologists; however, the learning curve for EUS-B-FNA, which may be performed during the same procedure, has not been described.A multicentre, observational Australian study, using prospectively collected data from three experienced pulmonologists was conducted. Cumulative sum (cusum) analysis was used to generate visual learning curves.A total of 152 target lesions were sampled in 137 patients, with an overall sensitivity for malignancy of 94.8%. The sensitivity for malignant lesions outside of the 2009 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer lymph node map (largely intraparenchymal lesions) was 92.9%. All three operators were competent by conventional cusum criteria. There was one case of pneumothorax, and no episodes of mediastinitis or oesophageal perforation were observed.Our data suggest that experienced pulmonologists can safely and accurately perform EUS-B-FNA, with a high diagnostic sensitivity for both lymph node and non-nodal lesions.