Interventional Pulmonary Program, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Samid M. Farooqui
Interventional Pulmonary Program, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Kassem Harris
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Section of Interventional Pulmonology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
Tony Abdo
Interventional Pulmonary Program, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Jean I. Keddissi
Interventional Pulmonary Program, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Houssein A. Youness
Interventional Pulmonary Program, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
Since the endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope was introduced to clinical practice, endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become the procedure of choice to sample hilar and mediastinal adenopathy. Multiple studies have been conducted in the last two decades to look at the different technical aspects of the procedure and their effects on the final cytopathological yield. In addition, newer modes of ultrasound scanning and newer tools with the potential to optimize the selection and sampling of the target lymph node have been introduced. These have the potential to reduce the number of passes, reduce the procedure time, and increase the diagnostic yield, especially in rare tumors and benign diseases. Herein, we review the latest updates related to the technical aspects of EBUS-TBNA and their effects on the final cytopathological yield in malignant and benign diseases.
