| Sumario: | Objective: Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive new diagnostic tool used for diagnosis and mediastinal staging of lung cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of real-time EBUS-TBNA for diagnosis of lymph nodes in patients with suspected lung cancer who had mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes. Material and Methods: Between April 2009 and January 2011, 52 patients with mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy suspected for lung cancer referred for TBNA were enrolled in the study. Results: Of 97 lymph node biopsy specimens, 94 were eligible for diagnosis. Of three patients with malignancy negative lymph node biopsy specimens, two gave their consents and underwent mediastinoscopy. The result of one patient was negative, and the other one was positive for malignancy. The third patient was accepted to have a non malignant disease since the positron emission tomography of lymph node was negative for malignancy and remained stable and non-malignant during the follow-up. The sensitivity and specificity of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnostic evaluation of mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes of patients with suspected for lung cancer were 98.9% and 100%, respectively. Twelve N3 lymph nodes were diagnosed as positive for malignancy. Twenty three patients without endobronchial lesions on conventional bronchoscopy were diagnosed as lung cancer by real-time EBUS-TBNA. No complications were recorded during the procedures. Conclusion: Real-time EBUS-TBNA is an effective and reliable diagnostic procedure. Moreover, it is a very useful tool for diagnosis of lesions which cannot be reached with the conventional bronchoscope.
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