Περίληψη:
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) technology is a relatively new
bronchoscopic method of visualizing the tracheobronchial tree, the
surrounding pulmonary parenchyma, and the mediastinal structures, with a
particular role in lung cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment. There
are 2 types of probes used in EBUS: the peripheral or radial probe (RP)
and the linear or convex probe (CP) EBUS, which have technical
differences and distinct diagnostic abilities. Both are used for
EBUS-guided biopsies and transbronchial needle aspirations (TBNA), which
increases the diagnostic yield over conventional bronchoscopic
techniques, thus providing advanced information on staging, diagnosis,
and treatment. Complications of EBUS are rare, and they are usually
related to the underlying biopsy procedure and the operator’s
experience. EBUS examination duration is usually short, and it can be
performed as an outpatient procedure. Interestingly, EBUS combinations
with other current and evolving techniques, eg, electromagnetic
navigation, are feasible and have a role in therapeutic interventions
and molecular diagnostics. In conclusion, EBUS is a safe and accurate
technique that is comparable with current criterion standard procedures,
eg, mediastinoscopy. More training is required for the vast majority of
respiratory physicians, and precise diagnostic algorithms are needed so
that more patients benefit from this development.
Συγγραφείς:
Kokkonouzis, Ioannis
Strimpakos, Alexios S.
Lampaditis, Ioannis
and Tsimpoukis, Sotirios
Syrigos, Kostas N.
