Table 2.
Nodule detection on nCLE-imaging compared to the diagnostic adequacy of ROSE, TBNA cytology, biopsy histology and final diagnosis
| Patient number | Radial EBUS Signal | Repositioning | nCLE-imaging | TBNA ROSE | TBNA cytology | Forceps biopsy histology | Final diagnosis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eccentric | Yes | + | − | − | + | Lymphoplasmatic infiltrate |
| 2 | Eccentric | Yes | + | + | + | + | Thyroid carcinoma |
| 3 | Concentric | No | + | + | + | + | Adenocarcinoma |
| 4 | Eccentric | No | + | + | + | n/a | Adenocarcinoma |
| 5 | Eccentric | Yes | + | − | + | n/a | Squamous cell carcinoma |
| 6 | Eccentric | Yes | + | − | − | + | Renal cell carcinoma |
| 7 | Eccentric | Yes | + | − | + | n/a | Carcinoid |
| 8 | Concentric | Yes | + | − | − | − | Adenocarcinoma |
| 9 | Concentric | No | + | − | − | + | Epithelioid granuloma |
| 10 | Eccentric | No | + | − | + | + | Adenocarcinoma |
| 11 | Eccentric | No | + | − | + | + | Melanoma |
| 12 | Concentric | No | + | + | + | + | Adenocarcinoma |
| 13 | Concentric | No | + | + | − | + | Adenocarcinoma |
| 14a | Absent | Yes | − | − | − | n/a | Adenocarcinoma |
| 15 | Eccentric | Yes | + | − | − | − | Carcinoid |
| 16 | Eccentric | No | + | + | + | n/a | Carcinoid |
| 17 | Eccentric | Yes | + | + | + | − | Adenocarcinoma |
| 18 | Eccentric | No | + | + | + | n/a | Carcinoid |
| 19 | Concentric | No | + | + | + | n/a | Melanoma |
| 20 | Eccentric | No | + | − | − | − | Indeterminateb |
| Adequacy for lesion detection and diagnosis: | 19/20=95% | 9/20=45% | 12/20=60% | 9/13=69% | |||
| TBNA+biopsies=16/20=80% | |||||||
nCLE nodule detection: += nCLE criteria compatible with malignancy, granuloma or inflammation − = absence of nCLE malignancy, granuloma or inflammation criteria. ROSE/TBNA/biopsies; + =tissue specimen shows signs of a malignant or non-malignant diagnosis, − =bronchus epithelium/blood contamination without signs of malignancy or an alternative diagnosis.
In one patient with a subsolid nodule, no r-EBUS signal was obtained and nCLE-imaging was unable to detect the nodule.
In one patient no final diagnosis was established and the nodule remained stable at 12months follow-up. nCLE= needle based confocal laser endomicroscopy; TBNA= transbronchial needle aspiration; ROSE= rapid onsite evaluation.