Application of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in mediastinal lymphangioma

Background: Mediastinal lymphangioma is a rare lymphatic malformation, and the standard treatment strategy is surgical dissection. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration has good diagnostic abilities for paratracheal, mediastinal, and hilar lymph node lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound is a new technique which can be used for the treatment of mediastinal lymphangioma to reduce the incidence of surgical-related complications. This study was designed to investigate the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the treatment of mediastinal lymphangioma. Methods: Retrospective analysis was carried out on nine patients with mediastinal lymphangioma who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration from 2010 to 2018 in Shanghai Chest Hospital. Results: No patients suffered serious complication. The amount of fluid aspirated was 50-205 mL. The disease was stable over a period of 9 months to 2 years. Conclusions: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration could be an effective method for the treatment of mediastinal lymphangioma with a little trauma compared with surgical dissection, which may have significant therapeutic effects.