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IntroductionMediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy (MHL) is increasingly identified owing to various underlying conditions. Minimally invasive biopsy techniques, including endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TBMC) and transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB), are common diagnosis tools. However, their safety and diagnostic efficiency remain unclear. This trial aims to compare the diagnostic yield and safety of these three techniques.Methods and analysisThis study is a three-arm, parallel-design, randomised controlled trial involving 972 adult patients with MHL recruited from multiple medical centres. Participants will be randomly assigned to the EBUS-TBNA, TBMC via a tunnel or TBFB via a tunnel group. The primary outcome is diagnostic yield, and the secondary outcomes include diagnostic sensitivity, sample quality and procedure-related complications. Statistical analyses will be conducted using the appropriate methods. An independent sample χ² test will be used to test the differences in the diagnostic yield and incidence of procedure-related complications.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital Ethics Committee (2022-KY-194).Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients or their guardians before their enrolment in the study. This study will be conducted per the principles established in the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Council for Harmonisation Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice.Trial registration numberwww.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06262620).

Background: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (c-TBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are both valuable diagnostic techniques for the diagnosis of hilar/mediastinal lesions. Although a superiority of EBUS-TBNA over c-TBNA may be expected, evidence-based data on a direct comparison between these 2 procedures are still lacking. Objectives: We aimed to test the superiority of EBUS-TBNA over c-TBNA in a randomized trial and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness profile of a staged strategy, including c-TBNA as initial test followed by EBUS-TBNA, in case of inconclusive results at rapid on-site evaluation. Methods: Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to either the EBUS-TBNA or c-TBNA group. The primary endpoint was to test the superiority of EBUS-TBNA sensitivity over c-TBNA. The secondary endpoints included the sensitivity of the staged strategy, as well as costs and safety related to each procedure and to their sequential combination. Results: A total of 253 patients were randomized to either EBUS-TBNA (n = 127) or c-TBNA (n = 126), and 31 patients of the c-TBNA group subsequently underwent EBUS-TBNA. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA was higher, but not significantly superior to that of c-TBNA (respectively. 92% [95% CI 87-97] and 82% [95% CI 75-90], p > 0.05). The sensitivity of the staged strategy was 94% (95% CI 89-98). No major adverse events occurred. Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA was the single best diagnostic tool, although not significantly superior to c-TBNA. Due to the favorable cost-effectiveness profile of their sequential combination, in selected scenarios with a high probability of success from the standard procedure, these should not be necessarily intended as competitive and the staged strategy could be considered in clinical practice.

A 46-year-old man presented to the emergency department having had 2 large, nonbloody vomits and abdominal pain over the preceding 3 hours. He had no history of gastresophageal reflux disease or other relevant medical conditions. He had a 20-year history of drinking 10-15 cans of beer a week. On examination, his abdomen was rigid and tender in the left upper quadrant. Laboratory results showed elevated leukocytes at 13.8 (normal 4.5-11.5) × 109/L with 77.8% neutrophils and high sensitivity C-reactive protein of < 0.02 (normal < 0.80) mg/dL. A chest radiograph showed pneumomediastinum, and a subsequent computed tomography scan of the patient's chest also showed pneumomediastinum and left hydropneumothorax. We diagnosed Boerhaave syndrome, perforation of the esophagus.

Abstract Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of mediastinal pathologies. Its greatest limitation has been the low diagnostic yield in lymphoproliferative disorders as well as insufficient samples for molecular testing. Transesophageal examinations using an EBUS scope have helped increase the diagnostic yield by allowing for additional biopsies of paraesophageal and intra-abdominal lesions. Similarly, the novel approach of transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy has further increased the yield by providing larger and better-preserved biopsies. Both complimentary techniques have shown great individual feasibility and safety. However, the feasibility of transesophageal cryobiopsies in the evaluation of mediastinal pathologies remains a subject of debate. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of transesophageal EBUS-guided mediastinal cryobiopsies performed at our center. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent mediastinal cryobiopsy through the esophagus at our institution between October 2023 and March 2024. Data on patient demographics, diagnostic yield, and complications were collected and analyzed. Results: The mean patient age was 43 years, with a gender distribution of 60% male and 40% female. The primary indications included suspicion of lymphoproliferative disorders, suspected sarcoidosis, and malignancies with paraesophageal lesions. The overall diagnostic yield was 93%. No major complications were noted in any of the patients. Conclusion: Transesophageal mediastinal cryobiopsy appears to be a promising complimentary technique for mediastinal evaluation with a relatively high diagnostic yield and favorable safety profile. However, further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate the findings at our institution.

Rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a common connective tissue disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD) associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity is a risk factor for developing RA-ILD, the relationship between RF seropositivity, mediastinal lymph node (MLN) features, and disease progression is unknown. We aimed to determine if high-titer RF seropositivity predicted MLN features, lung function impairment, and mortality in RA-ILD. In this retrospective cohort study, we identified patients in the University of Chicago ILD registry with RA-ILD. We compared demographic characteristics, serologic data, MLN size, count and location, and pulmonary function over 36 months among patients who had high-titer RF seropositivity (≥ 60 IU/ml) and those who did not. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression modeling. Amongst 294 patients with CTD-ILD, available chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and serologic data, we identified 70 patients with RA-ILD. Compared to RA-ILD patients with low-titer RF, RA-ILD patients with high-titer RF had lower baseline forced vital capacity (71% vs. 63%; P  = 0.045), elevated anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide titer (122 vs. 201; P  = 0.001), CT honeycombing (50% vs. 80%; P  = 0.008), and higher number of MLN ≥ 10 mm (36% vs. 76%; P  = 0.005). Lung function decline over 36 months did not differ between groups. Primary outcomes of death or lung transplant occurred more frequently in the high-titer RF group (HR 2.8; 95% CI 1.1–6.8; P  = 0.028). High-titer RF seropositivity was associated with MLN enlargement, CT honeycombing, and decreased transplant-free survival. RF titer may be a useful prognostic marker for stratifying patients by pulmonary disease activity and mortality risk.

Boerhaave’s syndrome is a rare and life-threatening form of spontaneous esophageal perforation, typically triggered by forceful vomiting and often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific clinical features. Although Mackler’s triad (vomiting, chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema) is classically associated with the condition, it is infrequently observed in full. We present the case of a 32-year-old man with a history of ulcerative colitis (UC) who presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain and repeated vomiting following dinner. He reported a sensation of food impaction and sought care 2 hours after symptom onset. Examination revealed subcutaneous emphysema and abdominal tenderness. Imaging with oral contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, and a distal esophageal perforation, confirming Boerhaave’s syndrome. He underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic repair with anterior fundoplication, endoscopic stenting, and drainage. His postoperative course included thoracentesis, IV antibiotics, and a gradual reintroduction of diet. A mild UC flare was managed with mesalamine. He was discharged in stable condition on postoperative day 9 and had full radiologic recovery at 3 months. This case stands out for its complete presentation of Mackler’s triad, a rare occurrence that facilitated early diagnosis. The patient’s young age and concurrent UC added clinical complexity. Prompt imaging and early minimally invasive surgical management, combined with coordinated multidisciplinary care, were key to a favorable outcome. This case underscores the importance of considering Boerhaave’s syndrome in atypical presentations and acting swiftly when classical signs do appear.

Background and aim Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a widely used technique for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy. However, limited data exist regarding the impact of different ultrasound bronchoscope models on procedural outcomes. This study assessed the technical performance, diagnostic efficacy, and safety of two PENTAX bronchoscopes—EB-1970UK and EB19-J10U—in EBUS-TBNA. Patients and methods This retrospective study included patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA at Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University between January 2023 and March 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on the bronchoscope used: EB-1970UK (n=73) and EB19-J10U (n=75). The groups were compared for specimen adequacy, complication rates, pathological positivity, diagnostic yield, and the predictive value of elastography in differentiating benign from malignant lymph nodes. Results The specimen adequacy rate was significantly lower in the EB-1970UK group (89.77% vs. 97.03%, P < 0.05). The incidence of severe cough complications was higher in the EB-1970UK group (13.70% vs. 4.00%, P < 0.05). The pathological positivity rate (63.01% vs. 76.00%, P >0.05) and diagnostic yield (80.82% vs. 84.00%, P >0.05) were comparable. The strain ratio threshold for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes was 4.24 for EB19-J10Uand 2.115 for EB-1970UK, showing significant predictive value. Conclusion Both bronchoscopes demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and predictive value in elastography-assisted EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy. However, EB19-J10U provided better specimen adequacy and fewer severe cough complications, suggesting superior procedural efficiency and patient tolerance.

Abstract Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TBMC) is increasingly used to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Various methods have been used to create a tunnel between the airway wall and the lesions for this procedure, such as electrocautery and penetration with the sheath of the needle for EBUS-transbronchial fine needle aspiration. However, those methods are complex. Case Presentation: We developed a new technique called EBUS-TBMC via a tunnel, and we used it in four cases of mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy. We used a puncture dilation catheter to create a tunnel between the airway wall and the target lymph node. The cryoprobe was introduced to the target lymph node and cooled with liquid carbon dioxide for 5–9 s. The probe was subsequently pulled out with the samples to complete the EBUS-TBMC via a tunnel. A definite diagnosis was made based on pathological examination of the samples obtained in all four cases. After the procedure, none of the patients experienced moderate to severe bleeding, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, or other adverse events. Conclusion: EBUS-TBMC via a tunnel is a feasible and convenient procedure for the performance of TBMC. Further studies are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EBUS-TBMC via a tunnel.

Castleman´s disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder often presenting as a hypervascular mass. This case highlights the unique challenges of surgically managing a posterior mediastinal CD mass adherent to vital structures. A 58-year-old woman was incidentally diagnosed with an asymptomatic posterior mediastinal mass during routine imaging for COVID-19. Computed tomography angiography revealed a 34 x 26 mm hypervascular mass closely associated with the esophagus, pulmonary artery, and bronchus. Initial surgical resection via VATS was converted to a posterolateral thoracotomy due to significant bleeding and adhesions. Histopathological examination confirmed hyaline vascular Castleman´s disease. The patient experienced an uneventful recovery and demonstrated a one-year remission. This case underscores the importance of advanced imaging and intraoperative flexibility in managing rare mediastinal masses. It also highlights the excellent prognosis achievable with complete resection, even in anatomically challenging cases.

BackgroundSpontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave’s syndrome) is a highly morbid condition traditionally associated with poor outcomes. The Pittsburgh perforation severity score (PSS) accurately predicts risk of morbidity, length of stay (LOS) and mortality. Operative management is indicated among patients with medium (3–5) or high (> 5) PSS; however, the role of minimally invasive surgery remains uncertain.MethodsConsecutive patients presenting with Boerhaave’s syndrome with intermediate or high PSS managed via a thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach from 2012 to 2018 were reviewed. Demographics, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsTen patients (80% male) with a mean age of 61.3 years (range 37–81) were included. Two patients had intermediate and eight had high PSS (7.9 ± 2.8, range 4–12). The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 27 ± 12 h and APACHE II score was 13.6 ± 4.9. Thoracoscopic debridement and primary repair was performed in eight cases, with two perforations repaired primarily over a T-tube. Laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy was performed in all patients. Critical care LOS was 8.7 ± 6.8 days (range 3–26), while inpatient LOS was 23.1 ± 12.5 days (range 14–46). Mean comprehensive complications index was 42.1 ± 26.2, with grade IIIa and IV morbidity in 60% and 10%, respectively. One patient developed dehiscence at the primary repair, which was managed non-operatively. In-hospital and 90-day mortality was 10%.ConclusionMinimally invasive surgical management of spontaneous esophageal perforation with medium to high perforation severity scores is feasible and safe, with outcomes which compare favorably to the published literature.