[Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: preliminary study on mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes of lung cancer].
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.
Li
Shi-Yue
SY
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Key State Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou 510120, China. li.shiyue@yahoo.com.cn
Chen
Xiao-Bo
XB
He
Ying
Y
Wang
Jin-Lin
JL
Chen
Yu
Y
Zhong
Nan-Shan
NS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged