Metastatic mediastinal lymph node from an unidentified primary papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Intern Med. 2009;48(15):1293-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.48.2212. Epub 2009 Aug 3.

Abstract

Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) with a dedicated EBUS bronchoscope has been reported as a minimally invasive and accurate method for sampling specimens from mediastinal and hilar lesions. Using this method, not only cytologic but also histologic specimens, which provide valuable information for a definitive diagnosis, can often be obtained. We report a case of an enlarged metastatic mediastinal lymph node from an unidentified primary papillary thyroid carcinoma that was accurately diagnosed by histological and immunohistochemical examination of tissue obtained by EBUS-TBNA.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / secondary*
  • Endosonography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinum
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed