Application of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for mediastinal lymph node staging in lung cancer.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration(EBUS-TBNA) is a novel approach for mediastinal lymph node staging in lung cancer,with minimal invasiveness and good safety.EBUS-TBNA shows distinct advantages in sensitivity and specificity over CT,PET and conventional transbronchial needle aspiration(TBNA) for mediastinal lymph node staging,and may be a viable alternative to mediastinoscopy.Combination of EBUS-TBNA and transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration(EUS-FNA) may allow for nearly complete staging of the mediastinum,and therefore can be a first-line choice for lymph node staging and mediastinal lymph node biopsy.Owing to a relatively high rate of false negative results,patients who test negative by EBUS-TBNA may need further invasive procedures(such as mediastinoscopy) for a confirmation.