Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS/TBNA): a diagnostic challenge for mediastinal lesions

Lung cancer is one of the most frequent neoplastic diseases. To date, most lung cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it difficult to choose the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. Surgical resection represents the best therapeutic solution. However, the best results are obtained only in the early stages of the disease. Lymph node involvement conditions the treatment (surgical or non-surgical approach). Mediastinoscopy is an effective and widely used method for mediastinal staging but does not allow us to reach many mediastinal lymph nodes. Endobronchial ultrasound/transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUSTBNA) allows us to reach more lymph nodes and is referred to as a first-choice exam for mediastinal staging.