Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS-TBNA)
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a minimally invasive approach to the sampling of difficult to access lymph nodes or central masses in the chest. Lymph nodes as small as 5 mm can be sampled and the technique has broad applications including the diagnosis and staging of cancers of the lung and other cancers that are suspected of spreading to the lymph nodes in the chest. It is also useful in the sampling of lymph nodes in lymphoma and non-cancerous conditions such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis.
EBUS involves the patient being put under conscious intravenous sedation; a thin flexible telescope (bronchoscope) is inserted via the patient’s mouth into the lungs. Images of the region between the two lungs (the mediastinum) are obtained using an ultrasound probe attached to the bronchoscope.
The aim of the procedure is to help diagnose diseases that cause enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.
Benefits
⇒ Minimally invasive procedure that can be performed as a day care, using intravenous sedation
⇒ The procedure is very well tolerated and there are no reported significant complications
⇒ The improved images from the ultrasound allow the chest physician to view difficult-to-reach areas and to access more lymph nodes for biopsy.
Possible complications of EBUS-TBNA
1. Bleeding
2. Pneumothorax [Accumulation of air outside lung in pleural space]
3. Complications related to sedative drugs
In case of such complications you will be hospitalized for observation and further appropriate management
Preprocedure Checklist
- Fasting for 6 hours before the procedure or as instructed by the doctor
- Do not take medicines for Diabetes in the morning or please confirm with your doctor
- Can take medicines for Blood pressure in the morning with sips of water
- If you are post angioplasty patient, we may need your cardiologist opinion if any biopsy is planned as we may have to stop few medicines
- Blood reports required before procedure: HIV/HBsAg/HCV, PT/INR
- Please removed dentures and nose ring before the procedure
- Please inform us about any drug allergy particularly Lignocaine
- Please get all your reports including OPD consultation papers, CT, X-ray reports on the day of procedure.
- Please get your relative or family friend along with you on the day of procedure.
- You will not be allowed to drive vehicle after the procedure as we may use some sedatives during the procedure for some patients.
- You will be again explained about the procedure by one of our team members once you are admitted in day care unit, followed by this your signature will be taken on written informed consent.
- Post procedure you will be kept fasting for 2 hours and as per your clinical condition, procedure performed and X-ray Chest, we will plan your discharge
- Time to time your family or accompanying person will be updated about your condition and procedure
- At any time you or your family is free to ask information about procedure.
- There might be delay in procedure as per availability of endoscopy room, procedural delays and some procedures may take more time than expected.