Core needle biopsy with endobronchial ultrasonography: single center experience with 100 cases

Adequate sampling by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-transbronchial needle aspiration to meet the demands of precision medicine or histologic evaluation is challenging. There is increasing demand for core biopsy specimens with advances in therapy. Franseen enodoscopic ultrasound needles have shown promising results in gastroenterology application for obtaining core biopsies and same design has recently been extended for pulmonary use. We evaluated Franseen needles with EBUS to assess its utility, safety and ability to provide core biopsy specimens.

Retrospective analysis of our database at the University of Utah of patients undergoing EBUS with a Franseen needle was performed to ascertain the performance characteristics of this needle in the first 100 patients after its implementation. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any immediate procedure-related complications.

One hundred seventy locations were sampled in 100 patients. A total of 152 lymph nodes and 18 masses were sampled. Core biopsies, as per pathology report, were seen in 87% of patients. A clinically concordant pathological diagnosis was established in 97% of patients. Diagnostic yield for granulomatous lymphadenopathy was 95.6% (22 of 23). No patient-related adverse events were noted.

The Franseen needle evaluated in this study can safely procure core tissue samples during EBUS bronchoscopy that are adequate for histopathological diagnosis in benign and malignant lesions. Its ability to provide adequate tissue in patients with granulomatous inflammation is encouraging.