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Updated: May 5, 2026
Use of Electromagnetic Navigational Transthoracic Needle Aspiration E-TTNA for Sampling of Lung Nodules
Published on: May 23, 2015
Impact of EBUS-TBNA on modalities for tissue acquisition in patients with lung cancer
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, University College London Hospital, 250 Euston road, London NW1 2PG, UK. n.navani@ucl.ac.uk.
Background:
The impact of the introduction of Endobronchial ultrasound with real-time guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) on the use of diagnostic modalities for tissue acquisition in patients with lung cancer is unknown.
Methods:
A retrospective review of 328 consecutive patients diagnosed with lung cancer at a university teaching hospital, where they first presented in London in 2007, 2009 and 2011. EBUS was introduced in 2008.
Results:
In total, 316 patients were included in the analysis. Comparing 2007 with 2011 data, there has been a significant reduction in standard bronchoscopy (P < 0.0001) and mediastinoscopy (P = 0.02). The proportion of cases diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA significantly increased from 0% in 2007 to 26.7% in 2009 and 25.4% in 2011 (P < 0.0001). In the same period there has also been an increased trend in the proportion of patients going directly to surgery without pathological confirmation with a 9.6% increase in diagnoses obtained at thoracotomy (P = 0.0526).
Conclusion:
The use of diagnostic modalities that provide information on diagnosis and staging in a single intervention are increasing. At our hospital, the use of EBUS-TBNA for providing a lung cancer diagnosis is increasing and this has led to a significant reduction in standard bronchoscopies and mediastinoscopies. These changes in practice may have implications for future service provision, training and commissioning.
