Objective: To observe the value and safety of real-time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) on mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes of lung cancer.
Methods: During July 2008 to December 2008, 25 patients (18 males, 7 females), (68 +/- 9) years old, with proven or radiologically suspected lung cancer were enrolled. EBUS-TBNA was performed to obtain samples from 28 lymph nodes of these patients. And 28 lymph nodes of 26 same eligible patients [(18 males, 8 females, (66 +/- 8) years old] were sampled with conventional TBNA by the same operator during January 2008 to June 2008. A positive result was either a specific diagnosis (eg, malignant cells) or a lymphocyte-positive specimen. The results and complications of EBUS-TBNA versus conventional TBNA were compared.
Results: The yield of EBUS-TBNA, 92.9%, was significantly higher than 60.7% (17/28 nodes) of conventional TBNA (chi2 = 8.114, P = 0.004). No pneumothorax, airway rupture, hemorrhage (> 5 ml) and other complications were observed for the patients operated with EBUS-TBNA and conventional TBNA.
Conclusions: Real-time EBUS guidance significantly increases the yield of TBNA on mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes of lung cancer, and EBUS-TBNA is safe. Further application studies are needed.