A comprehensive review of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA): staging, techniques, and future directions.

ABSTRACT: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is considered an essential modality for mediastinal and hilar lymph node evaluation in lung cancer and other thoracic diseases. When compared with surgical staging, EBUS-TBNA yields high sensitivity and specificity with a favorable safety profile. It now serves as the first-line approach for invasive mediastinal staging in most guidelines. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of EBUS-TBNA, with a focus on mediastinal staging in the era of the 9th edition of the TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastasis) classification, technical considerations, and emerging applications. We outline the limitations of noninvasive imaging and summarize current indications for invasive staging while emphasizing the prognostic impor

SUBMITTER: Fiore C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780401 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature