EBUS TBNA

EBUS TBNA: EBUS-TBNA (Endobronchial Ultrasound–Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration) is a modern, minimally invasive medical test that allows a lung specialist (pulmonologist) to look at and take samples from the lymph nodes and masses inside the chest, especially around the lungs and windpipe.

Why it’s done:
It is mainly used to check for infections, cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or other conditions that affect the lungs or the lymph nodes in the chest.

How it works (step-by-step in simple words):

1. The patient is usually given sedation or anesthesia so they are comfortable and don’t feel pain.
2. The doctor uses a special type of bronchoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and an ultrasound probe at the tip.
3. This bronchoscope is passed gently through the mouth into the windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes.
4. The ultrasound probe helps the doctor see the structures and lymph nodes inside the chest without making any cuts.
5. Once the target lymph node or mass is found, the doctor passes a very thin needle through the wall of the airway into the lymph node.
6. Small samples of tissue or fluid are taken using gentle suction.
7. The samples are sent to the lab for testing under a microscope to check for infection, cancer cells, or other diseases.
8. The bronchoscope is removed, and the patient is observed for a short time before going home (if it’s an outpatient procedure).