EBUS-TBNA for the mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

摘要

The mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer is an important process that distinguishes operable from inoperable candidates. In their retrospective study, Rintoul et al. report the utility of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for the diagnosis of positron emission tomography (PET) positive mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. They demonstrate a sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA of 91% when reference pathology was available.