Diagnostic sensitivity of pleural fluid cytology in malignant pleural effusions: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pleural fluid cytology is an important diagnostic test used for the investigation of pleural effusions. There is considerable variability in the reported sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions (MPE) in the literature.

Objective: The purpose of this review is to determine the diagnostic sensitivity of pleural fluid cytology for MPE, both overall and by tumour type, to better inform the decision-making process when investigating pleural effusions.

Effect of Needle Size on Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis with Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by noncaseating granulomatous inflammation that most commonly involves the lungs. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become an invaluable tool in the assessment of patients with mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy. It has been hypothesized that use of the larger 19-gauge (G) needle with EBUS-TBNA improves diagnostic sensitivity in sarcoidosis.