Bronchoscopic needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and staging of lung cancer

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has the potential to allow adequate mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer with enlarged lymph nodes in most patients without the need for mediastinoscopy. Metastasis to the mediastinal lymph nodes is one of the most important factors in determining resectability and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer. The importance of TBNA as a tool for diagnosing intrathoracic lymphadenopathy as well as in the staging of lung cancer has been reported in various studies. We performed a literature search in PubMed and Journal of Bronchology using the keyword transbronchial needle aspiration. TBNA is a safe and effective procedure to diagnose mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Real-time bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided TBNA is the new kid on the block, which can further enhance the sensitivity of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions.