Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the utility of suction and inner-stylet of EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy.

Background: The optimal procedure for maximizing the diagnostic yield and minimizing the procedural complexity of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is controversial. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial to determine the optimal procedure of EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, with a particular focus on the roles of the inner-stylet and suction.

Methods: Consecutive patients with enlarged mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes (LNs), detected by computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT), who underwent EBUS-TBNA were included.

Intrabronchial display of hilar-mediastinal lymph nodes by virtual bronchoscopic navigation system.

The description of precise intrabronchial positions for the sampling of mediastinal-hilar lymph nodes is critical to successfully perform conventional transbronchial needle aspiration. Previously published maps of mediastinal-hilar lymph nodes were primarily drawn based on experts' experience. We generated a virtual map of the most frequently sampled intrathoracic lymph nodes from an intrabronchial perspective using a virtual bronchoscopic navigation system, to assist with training in conventional transbronchial needle aspiration.

Bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration . transthoracic needle aspiration in lung cancer diagnosis and staging.

Background: In evaluating patients with suspected lung cancer, it is important to not only obtain a tissue diagnosis, but also to obtain enough tissue for both histologic and molecular analysis in order to appropriately stage the patient with a safe and efficient strategy. The diagnostic approach may often be dependent on local resources and practice patterns rather than current guidelines. We Describe lung cancer staging at two large academic medical centers to identify the impact different procedural approaches have on patient outcomes.

International association for the study of lung cancer map, Wang lymph node map and rapid on-site evaluation in transbronchial needle aspiration.

The invaluable role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal adenopathy and lung cancer has been well established. Different lymph nodes regional nomenclatures and maps had been described over the years. The international association for the study of lung cancer (IASLC) and Wang's maps complement each other benefiting patients with lung cancer.

Electromagnetic navigation transthoracic needle aspiration for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules: a safety and feasibility pilot study.

Background: Pulmonary nodules remain a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Minimally invasive biopsy methods include bronchoscopy and CT guided transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA). A novel electromagnetic guidance transthoracic needle aspiration (ETTNA) procedure which can be combined with navigational bronchoscopy (NB) and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) in a single setting has become available.

Efficacy and adequacy of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration of IASLC stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer.

Background: The role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer has been well established. Recently, the efficacy of conventional TBNA in the staging of lung cancer has been enhanced by the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-TBNA. Our study sought to evaluate the adequacy of TBNA of International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) stations 4R, 4L and 7 using endobronchial landmarks provided by the Wang nodal mapping system in the staging of lung cancer.

Past, present, and future of endobronchial laser photoresection.

Laser photoresection of central airway obstruction is a useful tool for an Interventional Pulmonologist (IP). Endobronchial therapy of the malignant airway obstruction is considered as a palliative measure or a bridge therapy to the definite treatment of cancer. Several ablative therapies such as electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation (APC), cryotherapy and laser photoresection exist in the armamentarium of IP to tackle such presentations.

Transbronchial needle aspirations vs. percutaneous needle aspirations.

Over the last decade, the increasing diffusion of innovative and more powerful imaging guided techniques has further broadened the bronchoscopist's horizons in the diagnostic work-up of peripheral pulmonary nodules/masses (PPN/M). However, in most of institutions worldwide, due to the lack of resources and specific skills, the routinely diagnostic approach to PPN/M is still represented by imaging-guided transbronchial needle aspirations (TBNA) and percutaneous needle aspirations (PCNA). So far, no randomized clinical trials directly comparing the accuracy of the two procedures are available, and a standardized strategy that defines the proper role of each technique has yet to be established.

Endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration: a hybrid method.

Background: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (cTBNA) was first performed approximately 30 years ago; however TBNA was not widely adopted until the development of endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Current EBUS-TBNA needle sizes are limited to 21- and 22-gauge. In order to determine whether a 19-gauge (19G) needle in EBUS-TBNA can further improve the diagnostic yield and simplify the methodology of EBUS-TBNA we developed a hybrid method.

Transbronchial needle aspiration: development history, current status and future perspective.

Background: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) technology was underutilized by clinicians because it is "blind". Recent development of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) renewed the interest and confident of TBNA. TBNA without EBUS is referred as conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA).

Standardized transbronchial needle aspiration procedure for intrathoracic lymph node staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Thoracic lymph node (LN) metastasis is the determining factor for NSCLC staging. However, enlargement in thoracic LNs, which can be detected by chest computed tomography (CT), may not be adequate for NSCLC staging. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedure to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis and staging.

Insight into the differences in classification of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes between Wang's lymph node map and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer lymph node map.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of malignant-tumor-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has for the past 30 years been an effective technique for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Understanding the anatomy of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes is essential to improve the yield of TBNA.

Evaluation of lymph node metastasis in lung cancer: who is the chief justice?

Accurate determination of the diagnosis and the stage of lung cancer play a critical role to ensure that patients are provided the optimal treatment. However, the process is usually beyond complex. Early studies have suggested lymph nodes (LNs) >1.

Evolution of transbronchial needle aspiration technique.

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an established technique to collect cell and tissue specimens from lesions outside the airway wall, generally guided by flexible bronchoscope under the direct visualization of the puncture site. TBNA has been utilized for 30 years, and now there is renewed interest in utilizing it in conjunction with endobronchial ultrasound. Although the basic operational principles have remained the same, conventional TBNA (cTBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided TBNA (EBUS-TBNA) have been greatly improved over the years with the increased application in clinic and the advance of new technology.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating airway inspection effectiveness during endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy.

Background: Endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has revolutionized the evaluation of patients with mediastinal and hilar adenopathy. Limitations of conventional endobronchial ultrasound (C-EBUS) bronchoscopes include the inability to perform a complete airway inspection, low definition optics, and limited maneuverability. These limitations require the use of a standard bronchoscope to perform an airway examination prior to the EBUS procedure.

Utilization of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Wang's nodal map for the identification of mediastinum and hilar lymph nodes.

Background: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), serving as a remarkably invaluable and minimally invasive technique, has been widely used for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal adenopathy and masses. To date, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and Wang's nodal map are two well-documented intrathoracic lymph node guidelines for the TBNA procedure.

Method: We characterized IASLC's and Wang's map, and interpreted the correlation of the two maps station by station.

Interventional pulmonology in the pediatric population.

Endoscopic airway interventions within pediatric populations vary considerably. Some of this variance may be related to institutional experience, however, may also be limited by operator experience and available equipment. Previous reports of pediatric bronchoscopic interventional procedures have been identified within the surgical literature; however, newer reports have identified other specialties participating in the care of these patients.

TBNA with and without EBUS: a comparative efficacy study for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.

Introduction: Conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has been around for over 30 years with sensitivities approaching 70-90%. Recent development of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) TBNA demonstrated even higher sensitivities among experts. However EBUS-TBNA is more costly and less available worldwide than conventional TBNA.

Teaching conventional transbronchial needle aspiration. A continuum.

Proponents of the endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) propose that in this era of EBUS-TBNA, training for conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (C-TBNA) should be abandoned. The authors of this editorial provide the opposing view. C-TBNA has a short and a steep learning curve and adds to the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy in a cost-effective fashion.

Transbronchial needle aspiration: where are we now?

Lung cancer, as the leading cause of cancer-related motility and mortality worldwide, usually ends up with poor prognosis, despite abundant progress of therapeutic approaches. Early diagnosis and staging is extremely critical and directly affects clinical managements and outcomes. Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), serving as an effective tool, has been widely used for mediastinal and hilar lung cancer staging.