Endobronchial Ultrasound–guided Transvascular Needle Aspiration

Abstract

From our single-center experience, we conclude that in experienced hands, EBUS-TVNA is feasible, with a high yield, but without complications. Larger prospective trials are warranted to explore its diagnostic potential.

Lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed by intravascular biopsy using EBUS-TBNA

“…revealed safety of transvascular approach of EBUS-TBNA. No complications were noted in any of the 10 cases [14]. Likewise, our patient was successfully diagnosed using EBUS-TBNA to puncture the SVC without any complications.…”

Defining expanded areas in EBUS sampling: EBUS guided trans‐ and intra‐pulmonary artery needle aspiration, with review of transvascular EBUS

“…A few recent reports describe EBUS‐TBNA with a transvascular approach, predominantly trans‐PA . In a multicentre study, the feasibility of trans‐PA EBUS‐TBNA was described in 10 highly selected patients from 7 centres .…”

“…Lesions or lymph nodes at these stations require surgical sampling. In selected situations, EBUS guided trans pulmonary (trans‐PA) needle aspiration has been described to sample station 5 lesions . Another sampling situation is lesions seen in the lumen of the PA, which may not be pulmonary emboli, and need tissue diagnosis.…”

Just Because We Can, Does Not Always Mean We Should

“…Similarly, a prior retrospective case series of EBUS-TVNA was published in the October 2015 issue of JOBIP. In this single-center study by Panchabhai et al, 3 10 patients with apparent contraindications to surgical sampling underwent TVNA of 9 left-sided and 1 right-sided lesion. One patient required a VATS biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, and 1 patient was diagnosed with histoplasmosis on the basis of serology.…”

“…TVNA by endobronchial and esophageal approaches has been reported in the literature since the late 2000s. [2][3][4] The technique allows sampling of lesions with intervening vessels between the needle entry point and the nodule, mass, or lymph node. It is clear at this point that it is feasible.…”