A 65-year-old male with a history of multiple myeloma and melanoma presented to the hospital with shortness of breath and lightheadedness. He was subsequently diagnosed with mild superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome due to a metastatic melanoma mediastinal mass. While melanoma frequently metastasizes to the lungs, the occurrence of SVC syndrome resulting from metastatic melanoma is exceedingly rare compared to other malignancies like lung cancer. Consequently, data on the incidence or prevalence of SVC syndrome caused by metastatic melanoma are sparse and variable. This case particularly underscores the rarity of melanoma causing SVC syndrome, as evidenced by the oncology team\'s request to perform a second biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This case also highlights the need for a tailored diagnostic and management approach, providing valuable insights into the diverse presentations of melanoma and enriching the medical literature on this subject.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided mediastinal cryobiopsy is a novel technique that increases the accuracy of diagnosing most pathologies that affect the mediastinum. Although EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the first choice in the diagnosis of mediastinal pathology, mediastinal cryobiopsy offers a larger and higher quality biopsy with minimal artifacts and no crushing when compared to conventional cytological samples obtained through EBUS-TBNA. It is particularly valuable in pathologies where EBUS-TBNA has diagnostic limitations, such as lymphoproliferative diseases, benign granulomatous conditions like sarcoidosis and silicosis, some rare infectious processes, metastases from rare non-pulmonary tumors, and in advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis are essential for personalized treatment. Therefore, mediastinal cryobiopsy seems to play a crucial role in these challenging scenarios. However, there is ongoing debate in the field of interventional pulmonology regarding the best approach for obtaining a mediastinal cryobiopsy. Some interventional pulmonologists use a high-frequency needle knife to create an incision in the tracheobronchial wall adjacent to the mediastinal lesion before inserting the cryoprobe, while others use a needle to create a pathway to the target area. There are also variations in the use of endoscopic or ultrasound imaging for guidance. In this article, we aim to review the current literature on different methods of performing mediastinal cryobiopsy and share our own clinical experience and methodology in a systematic way for its implementation in a safe, fast, and effective way.

BACKGROUND: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been used to diagnose and stage lung cancer. Acquire™ Pulmonary and Expect™ Pulmonary dedicated EBUS-TBNA needles were introduced as the Franseen and Lancet needles, respectively. It is still unclear whether the Franseen or Lancet needles yield a higher quality specimen especially focusing on next-generation sequencing-based molecular testing.
METHODS: A single-center, prospective study performed at the Chiba University Hospital randomly assigned patients to two groups: Group A, wherein the first and second EBUS-TBNA were performed using Lancet and Franseen needles, respectively, and Group B, wherein the first and second EBUS-TBNA were performed using Franseen and Lancet needles, respectively. Each specimen was compared and analyzed pathologically. The primary outcome was the histological tissue area except blood clot and the cellularity of each sample. We also examined the success rate of molecular testing.
RESULTS: Twelve patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA between November 2022 and February 2023 were enrolled in this study. The tissue area of the specimens obtained by the Franseen and Lancet needles was 13.3 ± 6.4 mm2 and 10.6 ± 6.3 mm2, respectively (P = .355). The tumor cellularity in the specimens obtained using the Franseen and Lancet needles was 54.0 ± 30.3 and 46.2 ± 36.3%, respectively (P = .608). The success rate of molecular testing using the single-pass sample by Franseen needle was 85.7 and 57.1% by Lancet needle. No serious complications were reported.
CONCLUSIONS: The Franseen needle tended to show a greater amount of specimen with higher tumor cellularity than the Lancet needle which may contribute higher success rate of molecular testing. Further studies must be conducted to validate the results of this study.
RESULTS: What is known and what is new?  What is the implication, and what should change now?

UNASSIGNED: Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) secondary to atypical sarcoidosis (atypical presentation of sarcoidosis) is rarely reported at home and abroad. Its clinical manifestations represent a lack of specificity, and the initial diagnosis is frequently difficult. In particular, this case has multiple pulmonary nodules with mediastinal lymph node enlargement and bilateral pleural effusion, and pulmonary fibrosis still exists after treatment, which is inconsistent with any clinical stage of pulmonary sarcoidosis, further increasing the diagnostic difficulty. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a case of FM secondary to atypical sarcoidosis diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided cautery-assisted transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-CA-TBMCB) in Chongqing University Fuling Hospital, to improve clinicians\' attention to FM and understand that EBUS-CA-TBMCB remains an effective way of etiological diagnosis.
UNASSIGNED: A 70-year-old man was hospitalized with cough and dyspnea for two months. After admission, through chest computed tomography (CT), ultrasound guided bilateral lung biopsy, left parietal pleural biopsy, and EBUS-CA-TBMCB, the final diagnosis was atypical sarcoidosis secondary FM. After taking glucocorticoid orally, the patient\'s condition improved significantly, and was discharged from the hospital. We continued following up outside the hospital, and the patient\'s condition was further improved.
UNASSIGNED: The diagnosis of FM is mainly based on typical imaging manifestations. When the contrast-enhanced chest CT finds localized or diffuse soft tissue density shadows around the mediastinum and pulmonary hilum with an irregular shape, with or without calcification, particular attention should be paid to exclude FM. EBUS-CA-TBMCB, as an improved minimally invasive method, can obtain enough tissue samples for pathological diagnosis, which may be the effective biopsy method for the etiology of FM to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis in the future.

UNASSIGNED: The role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in staging mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is well established. However, evidence of its diagnostic utility in other pathologies-such as lymphoma-remains inadequate. This retrospective observational study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of EBUS-guided miniforceps biopsy (EBUS-MFB) compared to EBUS-TBNA in both malignant and nonmalignant conditions.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional chart review of all adult patients referred for EBUS at our institution between January 2019 and December 2022. All patients who underwent both EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-MFB were included, with some patients also undergoing transbronchial cryobiopsy. Patients without pathology reports available were excluded.
UNASSIGNED: The combination of EBUS-MFB and EBUS-TBNA had the highest percentage of diagnostic results both in the overall cohort (34.4%) and in patients who did not undergo transbronchial cryobiopsy (46.2%). EBUS-MFB alone yielded more diagnostic results compared to EBUS-TBNA. Transbronchial cryobiopsy was the sampling method with the highest percentage of diagnostic results in the cryobiopsy group (64.5%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in diagnostic yield between EBUS-MFB and EBUS-TBNA (P<0.001), with EBUS-MFB showing a higher diagnostic yield overall. EBUS-MFB had a significantly higher diagnostic yield than EBUS-TBNA in benign cases, in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, but not in malignant disease.
UNASSIGNED: Our study suggests that combining EBUS-MFB with EBUS-TBNA can improve the diagnostic yield, particularly in benign cases and sarcoidosis. These findings support the potential superiority of adding EBUS-MFB over EBUS-TBNA alone and highlight the need for further randomized control trials to validate these results. The retrospective nature of this study and certain limitations, such as the lack of adequate longer-term follow-up, selection and operator biases, and the absence of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in some cases, should be considered when interpreting the results. Nonetheless, this study contributes to the growing evidence for the utility of EBUS-MFB in improving the diagnostic yield of EBUS procedures in specific clinical scenarios.

UNASSIGNED: Radiotherapy is a standard treatment modality in cancer therapy, particularly for lung cancer. Diffusing alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy sources (hereafter, \"Alpha DaRTs\") are fixed with Ra-244 (half-life =3.6 days) that releases alpha-emitting atoms into the tumor tissue to an effective range of a few millimeters.
UNASSIGNED: The feasibility, usability, and safety of Alpha DaRTs deployment and implantation via bronchoscopy into the lung parenchyma and mediastinum in a big animal model of healthy swine was studied in two phases: (I) inert and (II) active Alpha DaRTs deployment. The Alpha DaRTs were inserted in both individual and cluster patterns based on a predefined plan. Swine health was monitored throughout the study. The usability of bronchoscopic deployment and implantation was evaluated using a user questionnaire. The movement and migration of the Alpha DaRTs were assessed. Necropsy was performed, and lungs were evaluated via gross pathology and histopathology.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 158 Alpha DaRTs were inserted successfully in the lung parenchyma and mediastinum of five swine in two phases. It was possible to deliver and place the Alpha DaRTs in clusters of no more than 4 mm distance between the Alpha DaRTs. No adverse event or change in the health and general condition of animals was observed. Hematologic evaluation did not show any clinically significant abnormality related to the Alpha DaRTs. Histopathology demonstrated local mild inflammatory changes, minimal fibrosis, and dystrophic mineralization with giant cells. Minimal movement and no migration of Alpha DaRTs were observed.
UNASSIGNED: Bronchoscopic deployment of Alpha DaRTs in the lung parenchyma and mediastinum of the porcine animal is feasible, precise, and safe.

UNASSIGNED: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and well-established method for diagnosing and staging lung cancer and other conditions associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Efforts have been made to enhance the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the recent introduction of EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TMC). This advancement facilitates the acquisition of larger and better-preserved tissue samples from the mediastinum. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of EBUS-TMC in the diagnosis of malignant lesions and its effectiveness in relation to benign conditions, such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.
UNASSIGNED: We searched the PubMed® database for relevant English articles published up to July 1, 2023. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive bibliographic analysis with a particular emphasis on diagnostic yield, safety profile, and procedural technicalities.
UNASSIGNED: Our narrative review, comprising seven publications, emphasizes the significance of EBUS-TMC as an effective technique for obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions while maintaining an excellent safety profile. Furthermore, its capability for obtaining larger tissue samples facilitates molecular and immunological analysis in non-small cell lung cancer.
UNASSIGNED: EBUS-TMC exhibits significant efficacy with regard to obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate uncertainties regarding the selection of suitable cases and technical intricacies.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with unclear etiology and can often pose a diagnostic challenge. A tissue diagnosis is often necessary to illustrate the non-caseating granulomas on histopathology. This review aims to synthesize current evidence related to tissue diagnosis of sarcoidosis using various bronchoscopic techniques. We start by discussing standard bronchoscopic techniques which have remained the cornerstone of diagnostic workup such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), endobronchial biopsy (EBB), conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (cTBNA) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) followed by newer modalities that incorporate real-time image guidance using endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound. Although BAL, EBB, and TBLB have been employed as a diagnostic tool for several decades, their sensitivity and diagnostic yield is inferior to ultrasound-based endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). More recently, convincing evidence has also emerged to support the diagnostic accuracy and tissue yield of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy which will also be discussed in this review. These advances in bronchoscopic equipment and techniques over the last 2 decades have made it possible to obtain tissue samples using minimally invasive techniques thus avoiding invasive open lung biopsy and the risks that inherently follow. Up-to-date knowledge of these modalities is imperative for ensuring evidence-based medicine and improving patient-centric outcomes.

Vanishing bronchus syndrome (VBS) is the most severe form of bronchial stenosis. It has been described as a complication following a lung transplant (LT). We present a case of VBS in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in remission status post chemotherapy and radiation therapy and no history of a lung transplant.

OBJECTIVE: EBUS-TBNA is a method of acquiring tissue samples from intrathoracic lymph nodes and central intrathoracic tumours in patients suspected of having lung cancer. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) denotes assessing tissue samples during EBUS (or bronchoscopy), providing instant feedback on sample adequacy and provisional cytomorphological diagnosis. Sector multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion can then make informed treatment decisions, with confirmatory immunohistochemistry being finalised before provision of final treatment. Currently, impact of ROSE on length of time patients spend on the lung cancer diagnostic pathway remains unclear.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the impact of ROSE on the length of time between patients\' EBUS/bronchoscopy procedures and discussion at sector MDT, referred to as time to treatment decision (TTD), at our institution. Additionally, we assessed impact of ROSE on number of passes (number of times nodes/masses were sampled) per procedure.
RESULTS: The mean TTD was 77.9% shorter (p = 0.001) with ROSE present than when absent. Patients who received ROSE spend 34.3% less time (p = 0.028) on lung cancer diagnostic pathway overall. There was a significant reduction in number of passes in non-malignant nodes with ROSE present (2.23) than when absent (3.14) (p < 0.001). With ROSE present there was a significantly greater number of passes at malignant sites (5.07) than non-malignant sites (2.23) (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings support conclusions made in our institution\'s previous study, that utilisation of ROSE reduces TTD. ROSE also allows safe advancement through nodes with low suspicion of malignant involvement, focusing time on sampling nodes/masses of greater suspicion.