Exclusive diagnostic contribution of the histology specimens obtained by 19-gauge transbronchial aspiration needle in suspected malignant intrathoracic lymphadenopathy.

Background: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) performed with a 19-gauge needle provides both cytologic and histologic specimens. However, the diagnostic yield for malignancy gained by histologic examination is unclear. Moreover, this kind of needle is often reserved only for selected cases, in part due to fear for complications.