Virtual bronchoscopy for directing transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a preliminary investigation of virtual bronchoscopy as a guide for transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes to assess the usefulness of this technique. CONCLUSION: Virtual bronchoscopic images derived from routine helical CT scans were useful for directing transbronchial needle aspiration in a clinical setting. In addition, virtual bronchoscopy may have been responsible for improving the yield of transbronchial needle aspirations done by our bronchoscopists when 22-gauge needles were used.