Histological diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node metastases from renal cell carcinoma by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Abstract:  Evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with an intrathoracic nodule post malignancy is crucial for the determination of further treatment. Different radiological modalities are available for the detection of mediastinal lymph node metastases such as multidetector helical CT, PET-scan and PET-CT. However, tissue sampling is required for a firm diagnosis. A minimally invasive method of tissue sampling of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes using direct real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration has been reported. This method is appropriate not only for cytodiagnosis but also for histological diagnosis. This current study reports a case of mediastinal lymph node metastases from renal cell carcinoma successfully diagnosed histologically by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.