The optimal approach of EBUS-FNA rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE): a five-year experience from a large academic medical center

Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) performed during endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA) has shown significant value. However, ROSE may not be available for some pulmonary centers. Performing ROSE can be challenging and stressful due to time constrains for preparing, staining and reviewing the cytology slides between passes.A retrospective cytology report review of EBUS-FNA procedures performed between October 2014 and May 2019 revealed 516 cases that were included in the study. The number of passes for each procedure was documented. The adequacy rates were assessed at 4 different study points; ≤3 passes, ≤5 passes, at odd passes only, and the even passes only. The study groups results were compared to the overall ROSE and the final cytology adequacy.The overall ROSE interpretation was adequate in 370 (71.7%) and inadequate in 146 (28.3%). After reviewing the Papanicolaou stained slides and cell blocks, the final cytology results were adequate in 473 (91.7%) and inadequate in 43 (8.3%) of the cases. The number of passes per procedure ranged from 1 to 17. Our results showed that ROSE evaluation of the first 5 passes during the EBUS-FNA procedure could achieve the similar adequacy rate compared to the overall ROSE evaluation of all the passes.To achieve the most benefits of ROSE and to reduce the procedure time for EBUS-FNA, we recommend performing ROSE for ≤5 passes depending on the adequacy, and save all additional passes for cell blocks preparation if more than 5 passes are attempted.