Complications of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Nov;104(5):e363-e365. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.06.015.

Abstract

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is considered useful for the staging and diagnosis of lung cancer or thoracic lymph node enlargement; however, little is known about its complications. Between July 2009 and November 2016, 413 patients underwent EBUS-TBNA, and four complications (0.97%) occurred. Here we report four cases involving complications of EBUS-TBNA, including mediastinitis (n = 2), obstructive pneumonia (n = 1), and airway obstruction requiring admission to the intensive care unit (n = 1). All patients recovered with appropriate medical treatment. Despite their low incidence, the complications associated with EBUS-TBNA can be serious.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Airway Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Airway Obstruction / etiology
  • Airway Obstruction / therapy
  • Cohort Studies
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / adverse effects*
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / methods
  • Endosonography / adverse effects
  • Endosonography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Male
  • Mediastinitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinitis / etiology*
  • Mediastinitis / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / etiology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Radiography, Thoracic / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome