Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a safe and effective diagnostic tool for mediastinal evaluation. The guidelines for mediastinal evaluation of lung cancer were recently revised for both endoscopic procedures and surgical medical staging, and EBUS-TBNA is expected to be used more often in lung cancer diagnosis and staging. The major complication rate reported in previous meta-analyses is very low at 0.07-.15%; however, the mortality rate has not been reported. We present 2 cases of acute bacterial pericarditis after EBUS-TBNA, with 1 case resulting in mortality, and we discuss the appropriate management.
Keywords: Bronchial endoscopy; Endobronchial ultrasound; Mediastinal infection; Mediastinal lymph nodes; Pericardium; Ultrasound.
© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.