Diagnostic yield and sampling adequacy
The sampling adequacy of EBUS TBNA/EUS-B-FNA in various series ranged
from 92 to 100%. The sampling adequacy rates were available for four
out of the five studies (134 patients). (11, 12, 14, 15) The overall
pooled sampling adequacy was 98% (95% CI, 92-100%). The diagnostic
yield of EBUS TBNA/EUS-B-FNA ranged from 37 to 100%. The overall pooled
diagnostic yield was 61% (95% CI, 43-77%) (random-effects model).
(Table 2) The summary data for the calculations of pooled adequacy and
diagnostic yield are summarized in Figures 2 and 3.
There was presence of statistical heterogeneity among the studies (I
square = 76.01) There was no evidence of publication bias on the visual
examination of the funnel plot (Supplementary Figure 4). The
inter-observer agreement for scoring the quality of studies was good.
(Cohen’s k 0.74).