Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Ultrasound Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Lymphoma. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rationale: Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive method used to diagnose suspected mediastinal lymph nodes or masses. However, the accuracy of the diagnosis in patients with suspected lymphoma is unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA in patients with suspected lymphoma.

Methods

A literature search including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed by two reviewers. Included articles were evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool and meta-analysis with a binary method model to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve in patients with suspected lymphoma.

Results

Fourteen studies (425 participants) were pooled in the analysis. EBUS-TBNA reported an overall sensitivity of 66.2% (confidence interval [CI], 55-75.8%; I2 = 76.2%) and specificity of 99.3% (CI, 98.2-99.7%; I2 = 40%). For a new diagnosis of lymphoma, 13 studies including 243 participants reported sensitivity of 67.1% (CI, 54.2-77.9%; I2 = 66.8%) and specificity of 99.6% (CI, 99.1-99.8%; I2 = 0%). For recurrence of lymphoma, 11 studies including 166 participants reported sensitivity of 77.8% (CI, 68.1-85.2%; I2 = 20.2%) and specificity of 99.5% (CI, 98.9-99.8%; I2 = 0%). In the recurrence group, we found the use of rapid onsite examination, sample size, and flow cytometry increased the sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA, albeit a potential source of heterogeneity.

Conclusions

EBUS-TBNA has fair sensitivity for identifying a new diagnosis of lymphoma and fair to good sensitivity for identifying recurrence.Trial Registry: PROSPERO CRD42018102773 https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=102773.