Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound-guided TBNA (EBUS-TBNA) have been applied to the diagnosis for mediastinal lymph nodes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical value and safety of TBNA and EBUS-TBNA on hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes of lung cancer patients. METHODS: Two hundred fifty patients with suspected lung cancer were enrolled. All petients with hilar and/or m lymphoadenopa-ediastinal thy found by CT scan received TBNA, biopsy and brushing. EBUS-TBNA was performed in 15 patients among them. RESULTS: Lung cancer were confirmed in 180 patients by TBNA, biopsy and brushing. The positive rates were 82.86%, 51.24% and 45.45%. Fifteen patients after EBUS-TBNA had a positive rate of 91.67%. CONCLUSION: TBNA and EBUS-TBNA were proved to be safe procedure with a high yield for the diagnosis ofhilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer patients.