TY - JOUR T1 - Efficacy of endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) using a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) for transbronchial sampling of peripheral lung lesions JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - 4524 AU - R. Mustafa AU - S. Abdellati AU - M. Munavvar Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/4524.abstract N2 - Background: Endobronchial ultrasonography with a radial scanning miniature probe provides cross-sectional images of peripheral pulmonary lesions. Ultrasound probe covered with a guide sheath is introduced via the bronchoscope and is withdrawn after localisation of the peripheral lesion. The guide sheath is left in situ to direct sampling.Aim: To assess the diagnostic yield and safety profile of this novel technique.Methods: Ten patients with peripheral lung lesions were selected for EBUS-GS sampling between january 2010 and June 2010. Guided sampling was later deferred in two cases with visible endobronchial disease at conventional bronchoscopy. EBUS-GS Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) and Bronchial brush (BB) specimens were obtained. With the knowledge of subsegment leading to the peripheral lesion, additional blind TBB and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were also acquired following removal of the GS.Results: Mean size of the lesions sampled was 34 mm (22 to 52 mm). EBUS-GS TBB and BB specimens yielded a definite diagnosis of lung cancer in five (62.5%) patients. Three patients had no malignant cells in either EBUS-GS TBB or BB specimens. In one of these three patients, malignant cells were isolated from Blind TBB and BAL specimens which had been taken in addition to EBUS-GS samples. Hence a definite diagnosis of cancer was obtained in six (75%) patients. The procedure was well tolerated and none of the patients suffered major bleeding or pneumothorax.Conclusion: Diagnostic yield of transbronchial sampling of peripheral lung lesions is significantly improved with the use of EBUS-GS without an increase in complication rate. ER -