The Techniques of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive modality for mediastinal lymph node staging in lung cancer patients as well as for the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar adenopathy. The high diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA for lymph node staging has been shown in systematic reviews and meta-analysis. It has attracted physicians and surgeons as an alternative modality to surgical biopsy for the assessment of patients with enlarged mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes. Cell blocks obtained by EBUS-TBNA can be applicable not only for pathologic diagnosis but also for further investigations such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. In addition, samples obtained by EBUS-TBNA can also be used for molecular analysis. Unlike regular bronchoscopy, EBUS-TBNA uses the convex probe EBUS with an ultrasound probe on the tip of a flexible bronchoscope. It is important for the bronchoscopist to fully understand the mediastinal anatomy and be able to correlate it with the ultrasound images for a successful EBUS-TBNA. The dedicated transbronchial needle used for EBUS-TBNA is somewhat different from an ordinary transbronchial biopsy forceps. Training is mandatory for achieving high diagnostic yield without complications. The learning curve of EBUS-TBNA is different from each physician, and continuous training program will be needed for impartiality. This article explains the detailed techniques of EBUS-TBNA to master this innovative procedure.