Endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration in the evaluation of the mediastinum lymph nodes: safety evaluation

Background Evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes is of paramount importance for accurate staging in lung cancer and often dictates optimal treatment. Mediastinoscopy is considered the “gold standard” for sampling lymph nodes, but it is an invasive, costly technique that requires general anesthesia. Newer staging techniques have emerged. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive technique that permits accurate and adequate sampling of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes under direct, real-time visualization of lesions. The aim of this review is to evaluate the safety profile of this increasingly performed procedure.