Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph node

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Diagnostic Endoscopy

Background:

• Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an emerging diagnostic procedure in Malaysia, primarily available in specialized respiratory centers.
• Limited data exists on the efficacy and safety of TBNA for mediastinal lymph node evaluation within the Malaysian healthcare context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic yield of TBNA for mediastinal lymph nodes.
• To assess the complication rate associated with TBNA procedures.
• To determine the overall safety and utility of TBNA in a Malaysian hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 25 patients who underwent TBNA for mediastinal lymph node assessment at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA).
• Data collection included endoscopy databases, patient records, CT thorax images, and cytological/histological slide review.
• Analysis focused on TBNA positivity rates and documented complications.

Main Results:

• TBNA yielded positive results in 15 out of 25 patients (60%).
• Malignancy was confirmed in 80% of patients following bronchoscopy.
• Bleeding complications occurred in four patients (16%), with two cases resolving spontaneously and two requiring intervention.

Conclusions:

• TBNA is a valuable and safe procedure for diagnosing mediastinal lymph node conditions, including malignancy, in Malaysia.
• The low complication rate, particularly for bleeding, supports the widespread adoption of TBNA in respiratory care.
• Further implementation of TBNA can enhance diagnostic capabilities for thoracic diseases in the region.