Application value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal and pulmonary diseases

Aim: This study aims to investigate the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal and pulmonary diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 52 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Jinling Hospital from July 2014 to February 2015 with documented EBUS-TBNA was obtained. Results: Positive results of EBUS-TBNA biopsy were statistically compared to the final diagnosis. A total of 82 specimens from 52 patients were obtained through EBUS-TBNA biopsy. Out of 52, 45 patients had concurrent surgical pathology, including 33 malignant lesions and 12 benign lesions. There were 7 patients with false-negative results, including 1 case of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma, 4 cases of lung cancer, and 2 cases of tuberculosis. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA in this study was 85.2%, accuracy of 85.4%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 7.7%. There were no serious complications. Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA is a safe and minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of mediastinal and pulmonary diseases. It may also have utility as a therapeutic option during the diagnostic process of some diseases.