[Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration]

Abstract

In the last years, several techniques have been developed to obtain a prompt diagnosis or rule out lung cancer. Endobronchial ultrasound- guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive procedure with a high diagnostic yield for mediastinal and central pulmonary lesions. This procedure is especially useful for lung cancer diagnosis and mediastinal staging. Two different types of EBUS are currently available: Radial EBUS and lineal EBUS. Each one has technical differences together with a range of clinical indications. The aim of this review is to discuss about EBUS-TBNA and its current clinical indications, evidence about the accuracy of the procedure for lung cancer diagnosis and staging, and evaluation of the pathological and molecular studies (EGFR, ALK, and ROS1) obtained through EBUS-TBNA and rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE).