Key clinical point: Minimally invasive cytology sampling of mediastinal lymph nodes using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is useful for evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and determining the need for further treatment in patients with a previous diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Major finding: Sixteen patients (15 males, mean age 59 years, range 44–81 years) were diagnosed by cytological and cell block study to have metastatic clear cell RCC. Twelve patients had been diagnosed with clear cell RCC in the past (mean 39 months, range 4–89 months) while in four, the tumor was primarily diagnosed in the staging phase on the basis of EBUS-TBNA. The EBUS features of the mediastinal nodal masses included increase of size (mean 2.5 cm, range 1.6–3.8 cm), irregular, inhomogeneous, hypervascular, and hyperechoic echotexture.

Study details: Examination of 1744 EBUS-TBNA studies of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes performed for a variety of clinical indications including mediastinal malignancy.

Disclosures: The authors had no relevant financial disclosures.

Source: Val-Bernal J et al. Pathology Research and Practice 2018; 214 (7), 949-56.