BACKGROUND: The finding of a filling defect in a pulmonary artery (PA) sometimes raises the possibility of cancer. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) may confirm the underlying nature of the endovascular lesion. However, little is known about the use of this procedure for this purpose. METHODS: We searched PubMed and abstracts of major international conferences. RESULTS: There was a total of 12 cases: 8 female, 3 male, and 1 unknown. The median (range) age was 60 (51 to 79) years. EBUS was performed to evaluate mass-like lesion involving the PA (n=5), persistent or progressive filling defects in the PA despite anticoagulation (n=3), filling defect in the PA with multiple areas of consolidation, air-fluid levels in the lung (n=1), and hilar density (n=1). Moreover, an endovascular lesion was incidentally noted in the PA during EBUS for evaluating lymph nodes (n=2). EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic in 9 of the 10 cases in which it was performed. The final diagnoses were: sarcoma (n=6), lung cancer (n=2), thyroid cancer (n=1), renal cell cancer (n=1), melanoma (n=1), and pulmonary embolism (n=1). The cancer was a recurrence in 6 of the 7 cases with a known history of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS should be considered as a possible method for evaluating endovascular lesions when PA sarcoma or tumor macroembolism is suspected.
BACKGROUND: The finding of a filling defect in a pulmonary artery (PA) sometimes raises the possibility of cancer. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) may confirm the underlying nature of the endovascular lesion. However, little is known about the use of this procedure for this purpose. METHODS: We searched PubMed and abstracts of major international conferences. RESULTS: There was a total of 12 cases: 8 female, 3 male, and 1 unknown. The median (range) age was 60 (51 to 79) years. EBUS was performed to evaluate mass-like lesion involving the PA (n=5), persistent or progressive filling defects in the PA despite anticoagulation (n=3), filling defect in the PA with multiple areas of consolidation, air-fluid levels in the lung (n=1), and hilar density (n=1). Moreover, an endovascular lesion was incidentally noted in the PA during EBUS for evaluating lymph nodes (n=2). EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic in 9 of the 10 cases in which it was performed. The final diagnoses were: sarcoma (n=6), lung cancer (n=2), thyroid cancer (n=1), renal cell cancer (n=1), melanoma (n=1), and pulmonary embolism (n=1). The cancer was a recurrence in 6 of the 7 cases with a known history of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: EBUS should be considered as a possible method for evaluating endovascular lesions when PA sarcoma or tumor macroembolism is suspected.
Authors: Mark J Schuuring; Peter I Bonta; Michele van Vugt; Frank Smithuis; Otto M van Delden; Jouke T Annema; Kees Stijnis Journal: Respiration Date: 2016-10-20 Impact factor: 3.580
Authors: Ismini Kourouni; Scott W Aesif; Stephen W Tamarkin; Michael Bolen; Edward Sivak; Ziad Shaman; Ila Tamaskar; Vaia Florou Journal: Breathe (Sheff) Date: 2021-06