Combining Endobronchial Ultrasound and Videomediastinoscopy in the Diagnosis and Staging of Patients With Mediastinal Adenopathy or Lung Cance

Abstract

PURPOSE: Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and videomediastinoscopy (VM) have important roles in the diagnosis of mediastinal adenopathy, particularly in the staging of patients with lung cancer. Our goal to use the least invasive modality possible and obtain definitive results while minimizing delay, led us to develop a hybrid operating room mediastinal staging technique (ORMST). ORMST begins with EBUS, utilizing rapid on-site cytologic analysis, either establishing a diagnosis, thereby terminating the case, or confirming the need to progress to the more invasive VM.