Complications of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is considered useful for the staging and diagnosis of lung cancer or thoracic lymph node enlargement; however, little is known about its complications. Between July 2009 and November 2016, 413 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA, and four complications (0.97%) occurred. Here we report four cases involving complications of EBUS-TBNA, including mediastinitis (n = 2), obstructive pneumonia (n = 1), and airway obstruction requiring admission to the intensive care unit (n = 1). All patients recovered with appropriate medical treatment. Despite their low incidence, the complications associated with EBUS-TBNA can be serious. (C) 2017 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons