Endobronchial ultrasound: Echoing in the field of pediatrics

Abstract

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a useful technique for the diagnosis and staging of the lung and mediastinal lesions, which is crucial for selecting treatment protocol. Under EBUS guidance, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is widely applied for obtaining specimens for histological, cytological, and molecular evaluation. Recently, the EBUS scope designed for adults has been used in large pediatric candidates. The presence of lung masses and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the pediatric population presents a diagnostic challenge; however, EBUS is a promising tool for pediatricians to address these challenging issues. In some centers, the adult EBUS echobronchoscope is applied in transesophageal procedures for pediatric patients. EBUS-guided TBNA can also be used to perform minimally invasive interventional therapy, such as fiducial marker placement for assisting precision radiation, brachytherapy, and radiofrequency ablation therapy. With the development of EBUS equipment designed specifically for children, pediatric EBUS will play an increasingly important role.

Keywords: Endobronchial ultrasound; endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration; pediatric; transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.