Author/Editor		Terčelj-Zorman, Marjeta; Kern, Izidor
Title		Percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy of mediastinum for staging of lung cancer
Type		članek
Source		J Bronchol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 8, št. 3
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 170-2
Language		eng
Abstract		Percutaneous needle aspiration (PCNA) of mediastinal masses is a complementary method in the staging of lung cancer. It is safe, efficient, and inexpensive. Its drawback is that it cannot rule out cancer when "negative." Its use is limited mainly to radiologically visible N2 and N3 nodal disease where bronchial biopsy was not successful-i.e., in a significant minority of patients. When providing proof of malignant spread to contralateral (N3) mediastinal nodes, it may spare the patient further invasive procedures. From 1989 through 1995, 1,057 patients were admitted to the Institute Golnik for diagnostic workup for lung cancer. Percutaneous needle aspiration was perforned in 205 of them and showed a benign lesion in 65, primary tumor in mediastinum in 88, and nodal involvement from a peripheral lung cancer in 52. These 52 are presented. All 52 patients had a primary lung tdmor and a radiologically visible mediastinal mass. In all of them, biopsy of the lung tumor as well as bronchial or transtracheal needle aspiration of the mediastinum was performed. However, in all, the mediastinal lesion remained undiagnosed. Percutaneous needle aspiration was attempted before mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, or thoracoscopy. After a positive PCNA of a contralateral (N3) mediastinal node, the patient was usually deemed inoperable. By PCNA, carcinoma was proven in the mediastinum in 48 of these patients, for a sensitivity of 92%. In 29 of them, cancer was proven on the contralateral side of mediastinum. Carcinoma was missed in the mediastinum by PCNA, and later proven, in four patients. There were four cases of pneumothorax, all easily treated, and two cases of mild hemoptysis, but no other complications.
Descriptors		LUNG NEOPLASMS NEOPLASM STAGING MEDIASTINAL NEOPLASMS BIOPSY, NEEDLE