EBUS‐TBNA procedures were performed by trained operators using a convex probe‐EBUS bronchoscope (
BF‐UC260F‐OL8; Olympus) and a dedicated 22‐gauge needle (
NA‐201SX‐4022; Olympus). The patients were under moderate sedation, achieved with intravenous midazolam and fentanyl.
12,
17 Lidocaine was used for local anesthesia. Hilar, interlobar, and lobar LNs recognized by real‐time ultrasound were examined by the operator. When possible, we conducted three passes per node. When core tissue was obtained, at least two passes were conducted when possible. However, when we obtained enough core tissue at the first pass and the patient's condition was unstable, we prematurely terminated the procedure after the first pass.
Once the tissue core had been secured, it was blotted in filter paper to remove excess blood, fixed in formalin, and then the tissue coagulum clot was sent for histological examination.
18 Aspirate specimens were expelled onto glass slides, smeared, immediately fixed, and sent for cytological and/or histological examination.
17 Rapid on‐site cytopathological evaluation was not performed.
Information on EBUS‐TBNA‐related adverse events (e.g., bleeding, hypoxemia, etc) was also collected.
Wi S., Kim B., Shin S.H., Jhun B.W., Yoo H., Jeong B., Lee K., Kim H., Kwon O.J., Han J., Kim J, & Um S. (2022). Clinical utility of EBUS‐TBNA of hilar, interlobar, and lobar lymph nodes in patients with primary lung cancer. Thoracic Cancer, 13(17), 2507-2514.