Should EUS-FNA be considered also for the diagnosis of peripheral small pulmonary lesions?

Abstract

Given the high rate of small lung nodules detected during the oncological follow up for various cancers, in the era of personalize medicine, the histological diagnosis is of paramount importance. Usually, the small peripheral lung nodules are historically reached using a CT guided biopsy but this technique is characterized by an high rate of pneumothorax. Endoscopic procedures were referred only for central tumor that occluded the mains bronchi. In the last few years, the spreading of EBUS-TBNA, EUS-FNA and the navigational bronchoscopy systems has increase the use of these technique also for the diagnosis of small lung nodules.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy; EUS-FNA; Lung nodule; NSCLC.