Endobronchial Ultrasound Elastography Differentiates Intrathoracic Lymph Nodes: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of endobronchial ultrasound elastography for differentiating malignant and benign intrathoracic lymph nodes.

Methods: A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of endobronchial ultrasound elastography in diagnosing intrathoracic lymph nodes. Publications before October 1, 2017, were included for analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and other variables were pooled using the bivariate mixed-effects regression model.

Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 0.97), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.78 to 0.90), 6.3 (95% CI, 4.2 to 9.2), 0.08 (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.18), and 74 (95% CI, 33 to 168), respectively. The summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91 to 0.95).

Conclusions: The results revealed endobronchial ultrasound elastography is a new technique with high sensitivity and specificity. It has a fine performance in diagnosing intrathoracic lymph nodes.