MINIMALLY INVASIVE DIAGNOSIS AND MEDIASTINAL STAGING OF LUNG CANCER: ENDOBRONCHIAL ULTRASOUND GUIDED TRANSBRONCHIAL NEEDLE ASPIRATION

Abstract

Mediastinal involvement by lung cancer is a common finding, which presents a challenge to physicians. Obtaining specimens for cytologic and histologic evaluation is crucial for both diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Surgical biopsy methods are effective, but invasive and expensive. They commonly require hospitalization, general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Minimally invasive modalities are now at the disposal of physicians and surgeons that provide highly effective means of obtaining tissue specimens. Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration can be used with traditional diagnostic flexible bronchoscopes available in most hospitals. Endobronchial ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound are complimentary imaging modalities that permit real-time guidance and verification of successful lymph node biopsy. They are highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests and enable physiciansto access a wide range of lymph node locations within the mediastinum