title: Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound for peripheral pulmonary lesions. A 5-year institutional experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technological advances have improved the ability of bronchoscopists to access peripheral pulmonary lesions for tissue sampling. Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) provides real-time feedback to guide biopsies of peripheral lesions, thereby potentially improving diagnostic yield over conventional bronchoscopy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the overall diagnostic yield of peripheral bronchoscopy using radial probe EBUS for peripheral pulmonary lesions, as well as factors that might influence the diagnostic yield, such as radial ultrasound view, lesion size, and ability to locate the peripheral lesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of peripheral bronchoscopy cases in which radial probe EBUS was utilized to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions at a tertiary care university hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study cohort comprised 496 patients who underwent bronchoscopies between January 2008 and December 2012 for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. Radial probe EBUS was used alone for diagnostic purposes in 467 patients. A diagnosis was made on that basis in 321 (69%) of 467 patients. A diagnosis was obtained for 83 of 144 (58%) of nodules 1-2 cm in diameter, 99 of 137 (72%) of nodules 2.1-3 cm, 54 of 70 (77%) of nodules 3.1-4 cm, 41 of 47 (87%) of nodules 4.1-5 cm, and 35 of 40 (88%) of nodules larger than 5.1 cm. Of all 467 nodules, 446 (96%) were successfully identified using radial probe EBUS. When the radial probe position was within the target lesion, the diagnostic yield was 84% compared with 48% when the probe was positioned adjacent to the lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radial probe EBUS can be used to guide biopsy during peripheral bronchoscopy. This technique provides real-time ultrasound-based confirmation of target lesion localization prior to biopsy. Using radial probe EBUS, the vast majority of peripheral pulmonary nodules can be identified. Radial EBUS probe position relative to the target lesion significantly affects the diagnostic yield.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chenna
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loiselle
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massoni
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayse
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Misselhorn
mesh_terms: D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; D019160:Endosonography; D006801:Humans; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D055732:Pulmonary Aspergillosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary