Diagnostic utility of transbronchial biopsy for Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case study

Thorac Cancer. 2021 Dec;12(23):3281-3285. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.14190. Epub 2021 Oct 25.

Abstract

Lung lesions of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) are rare and difficult to diagnose by nonsurgical biopsy. We herein present the case of a 72-year-old Japanese male who presented with accumulation of lung infiltrates and masses bilaterally on the lungs for 3 years. Although transbronchial lung biopsy (TBB) and computed tomography-guided biopsy were conducted several times, his diagnosis remained inconclusive. On further deterioration of lung lesions, the patient was transferred to our hospital. Positron emission tomography revealed increased accumulation in the bilateral lungs and right supraclavicular lymph nodes. Surgical biopsy of the lymph node was performed. He was finally diagnosed with HL and underwent chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, and brentuximab vedotin. After chemotherapy, the lung lesion showed significant regression. A literature review indicated that the diagnostic success rate of TBB was low (18.5%) in cases of lung lesions in HL.

Keywords: biopsy; chemotherapy; lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Radiography