The Contribution of Cell Blocks in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal and Hilar Lymphadenopathy Samples From Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)

Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a diagnostic procedure that allows clinicians to stage lung cancer by sampling lymph nodes in the mediastinum. EBUS-TBNA is recommended as a first step prior to mediastinoscopy for lung cancer mediastinal staging. This procedure has greatly aided pulmonologists in diagnosing mediastinal pathologies with substantial progress. In this study, our aim is to analyze how cell blocks affect the diagnostic yield of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy using an EBUS cytology needle. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between May 2021 and September 2021. Patients with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy in the absence of known or suspected primary lung cancer were included. The EBUS procedure was performed using a flexible bronchoscope equipped with a working channel suitable for transbronchial needle aspiration under direct ultrasound guidance. Data were recorded using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Diagnostic accuracy measures were determined, and a p-value of 0.05 was established as the final threshold for statistical significance. Results The total number of patients in our study was 151. The sensitivity for cytology specimens, histology specimens, and a combined evaluation for the full group of patients was 77.14%, 83.33%, and 87.5%, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 27.22%, 25%, and 21.42%. The diagnostic accuracy for cytology specimens, histology specimens, and a combined evaluation was 71.42%, 76.19%, and 80%, respectively. Conclusion Our study found that the combined examination of specimens for both cytology and histology in the diagnosis of lung cancer, sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis resulted in a higher diagnostic yield compared to cytological assessment alone using EBUS-TBNA.