Author:
Tsuchida Hiroyuki,Matsumoto Yuji,Furuse Hideaki,Tsuchida Takaaki
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial cryobiopsy (EBUS-cryobiopsy) is advantageous for collecting larger specimens with minimal crushing; however, it has not been widely used for mediastinal tumors.
Case presentation
A 73-year-old woman with a history of left breast cancer underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy. Computed tomography showed a mass in the anterior mediastinum that was in extensive contact with the sternum on the ventral side and partly with the trachea on the dorsal side. Two computed tomography-guided needle biopsies (CTNBs) were performed on the mass; however, a definitive diagnosis was not made because of severe crush artifacts. Subsequently, we performed EBUS-cryobiopsy and safely obtained sufficient specimen volume with minimal crushing. The histopathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, with immunobiological features distinct from those of previous breast cancers. Her overall diagnosis was a rare tumor originating in the anterior mediastinum.
Conclusions
EBUS-cryobiopsy can be safely performed in narrow areas surrounded by major blood vessels, and the obtained specimens may be superior to CTNBs for histopathological diagnosis.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC