Rapid cytological analysis of endobronchial ultrasound-guided aspirates in sarcoidosis

Abstract

Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspirates (EBUS-TBNA) has not been compared to final detailed cytological analysis in patients with suspected sarcoidosis. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA with ROSE in patients with suspected sarcoidosis, a prospective two-centre study performed EBUS-TBNA with ROSE of cellular material followed by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and endobronchial biopsy (EBB). The diagnostic accuracy of EBUSTBNA with ROSE was compared to the final cytological assessment and to TBLB and EBB. Analysis confirmed 49 out of 60 cases of sarcoidosis. ROSE sensitivity was 87.8% (specificity 91%, positive predictive value 97.7%). ROSE slide interpretation in combination with the final fixed slide and cell block preparations had a sensitivity of 91.8% (specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%). 67% of patients were confirmed as having sarcoidosis on TBLB and 29% on EBB. Interobserver agreement between cytotechnologists and pathologists was very good (κ=0.91, 95% CI 0.80-1.0 and κ=0.91, 95% CI 0.79-1.0, respectively). EBUS-TBNA with ROSE has high diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement and informs the bronchoscopist in theatre whether additional diagnostic procedures need to be undertaken. EBUS-TBNA with ROSE should therefore be considered as the first-line investigation of sarcoidosis. Copyright © ERS 2013.