[Progress in bronchoscopy: ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)].
In case of lung cancer, evaluation of the extension disease is mandatory. Mediastinal nodes must also be evaluated: if a controlateral to the tumor node is metastatic (N3), surgery is no more indicated. As specificity of PET-CT scan is not satisfaying (78%), cytology or histology of a suspect node is necessary. Even if PT-CT scan is negative, node micrometastasis are not excluded. To investigate a mediastinal adenopathy, mediastinoscopy or mediastinotomy are gold standard. Cytoponction guided by ultrasonography (EBUS-TBNA) is a new method which has been proved to be efficient and safe, but necessating some expertise and regular practice. It could be a valuable alternative to mediastinoscopy.
Frey
J G
JG
Centre valaisan de pneumologie, 3963 Crans-Montana. jean-georges.frey@rsv-gnw.ch
Favre
L
L
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional