27/01/2026
In this case, a 76-year-old gentleman with FDG-avid mediastinal lymph nodes required further evaluation to clarify the cause of the abnormal PET findings.
While EBUS-guided needle aspiration (TBNA) is often the standard first step, our team went a step further by performing a transbronchial cryonodal biopsy (TBNC).
Using a cryoprobe placed directly into the lymph node, we were able to obtain larger and more intact tissue samples, which can be crucial when conventional sampling is inconclusive.
Interestingly, the tissue retrieved had an anthracotic appearance, providing a possible explanation for earlier atypical results. Final histology is awaited to confirm the diagnosis.
A wonderful example of how advanced interventional techniques help us refine diagnoses and deliver more accurate, patient-centred care. This is a procedure we perform regularly as part of our advanced respiratory services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah.
