Linear EBUS – Procedures (TBNA)

Wan Jen Lye
Selayang Hospital, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

Linear endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has emerged as a pivotal minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and masses. Utilizing a linear array ultrasonic bronchoscope equipped with a convex probe, the procedure allows real-time ultrasound-guided sampling of lymph nodes and peribronchial lesions adjacent to the tracheobronchial tree. This real-time imaging significantly improves diagnostic yield and safety compared to conventional blind TBNA.

The advent of linear EBUS-TBNA has transformed the diagnostic approach to mediastinal and hilar disease, reducing the need for more invasive surgical procedures such as mediastinoscopy. Furthermore, it enables rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of specimens, improving adequacy rates and reducing procedure time.

In summary, linear EBUS-TBNA is a safe, effective, and essential tool in modern pulmonary medicine, combining endoscopic and ultrasonographic capabilities to facilitate accurate, real-time sampling of mediastinal and hilar lesions for diagnosis and staging.