Objective: To compare the values of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and TBNA for the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal lesions.
Methods: The clinical data of 100 patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA (n=50) and TBNA (n=50) between January 2010 and May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed, and the results and complications were recorded.
Results: A total of 121 lesions in the 100 patients were evaluated, the sample yeilds of EBUS-TBNA and TBNA were 90.6% and 78.9% and the diagnostic accuracy rates in the two groups were 90.0% and 72.0%(P=0.022), respectively. No major complications happened. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of EBUS-TBNA were higher and the complication rate was not increased as compared with TBNA.
Conclusion: EBUS-TBNA has a higher diagnostic yield for the evaluation of hilar and mediastinal lesions.