Rigid transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy for histological specimens

Transbronchial needle aspiration of cytopathological specimens has proven useful in the diagnosis and staging of bronchogenic carcinoma, but its value in conditions requiring histologic confirmation has been hampered by the small size of the sample provided. To expand the utility of this procedure, we designed a larger (18 gauge) needle with a beveled stylet with which tissue cores for histologic study can be obtained during rigid bronchoscopy, and we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of this technique. Diagnoses of five neoplastic and three granulomatous diseases were established in eight of the ten patients with this procedure, and there were no complications. These findings suggest that transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy is relatively safe and effective, further extending the bronchoscopic approach to selected patients with mediastinal disease.