Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in solitary mediastinal, hilar lymphadenectasis, or peribronchial lesions Six cases reports and review of literature

Background: Patients with isolated mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy, or peribronchial lesions, are common presentation to clinicians. Due to the difficulty in tissue sampling, the pathological diagnosis is not so easy. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established, highly effective, minimally invasive technique for sampling. The current study was conducted to investigate the value of EBUS-TBNA in patients of solitary mediastinal, hilar lymphadenectasis, or peribronchial lesions. Methods: Six patients with different pathological results diagnosed via EBUS-TBNA were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Results: All 6 patients of solitary mediastinal, hilar lymphadenectasis, or peribronchial lesions underwent conventional flexible bronchoscopy before EBUS-TBNA, but only EBUS-TBNA was helpful for the finally definite diagnosis. No complication was observed. Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is a safe and highly effective diagnostic procedure for both benign and malignant diseases, especially for patients with solitary mediastinal, hilar lymphadenectasis, or peribronchial lesions.