Objective: To compare the diagnostical yields and complication of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for the mediastinum lesions under the same condition.
Method: Ninety-five patients with mediastinal lesions on chest CT were included. Bronchoscopy was performed under the local anesthesia, TBNA, EBUS-TBNA performed sequentially as a single combined procedure.
Results: Of the 71 patients confirmed to be malignant, the positive rate of TBNA was 92% (65/71), and 96% (68/71) by EBUS-TBNA. There was no difference in malignant and benign lesions between conventional TBNA and EBUS-TBNA, but the success rate for obtaining adequate samples was higher by EBUS-TBNA (39/95) as compared to TBNA (22/95). Accidental injury of the blood vessels occurred in 7 cases by TBNA as compared to 3 cases by EBUS-TBNA, but the difference was not significant.
Conclusion: Satisfactory diagnostic yields can be obtained by either conventional TBNA or EBUS-TBNA in skilled hands.