ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION BRONCHOSCOPY

Abstract

Electromagnetic navigation is a novel diagnostic technique which allows bronchoscopic sampling of peripheral pulmonary nodules and mediastinal adenopathy. This technique is compatible with transbronchial biopsy forcepsas well as with needle and catheter aspiration, and is therefore quite versatile. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy is an established alternative to conventional computerized tomography (CT) guided fine needle aspiration, mediastinoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and thoracotomy in a selected group of patients. Its excellent safety profile makes it an especially attractive technique for high risk patients with underlying pulmonarydisease or comorbidities unable to undergo surgery or withstand a pneumothorax. Cytological samples obtained by electromagnetic navigation are suitable for molecular analysis, including determination of epidermal growthfactor receptor (EGFR), K-ras, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations.