Abstract

Objective: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) using superDimension/Bronchus System is a novel method to increase diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in peripheral lung lesions and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In this prospective study, our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of ENB for peripheral lung lesions (PL) and mediastinal lymph nodes (LN) when standard techniques were nondiagnostic or patients were not good candidates for standard techniques.

Material and Method: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) was performed under local anesthesia via ENB technique using an electromagnetic board, microsensor probe, extended working channel and real-time reconstruction of previously acquired multiplanar computed tomography images.

Results: 21 patients were enrolled in the study. Five patients had only PL, four had both PL and LN and 12 had only LN. The mean size of nine PL and 31 LN were 25.88±12.24mm and 18.16±6.01mm, respectively. Eight of 9 PL (88.9%) and 28 of 31 LN (90.3%) were successfully sampled by ENB, which was diagnostic in 18 of 21 patients (85.7%). In these 18 patients the distribution of diagnosis was; non-small cell lung cancer (n:5), benign pulmonary nodule (n:2), sarcoidosis (n:6), tuberculous lymphadenitis (n:3), and reactive lymphadenitis (n:2). Pneumothorax occurred only in one patient.

Conclusion: ENB is a safe method for sampling PL and LN with a high diagnostic yield. (Tur Toraks Der 2011; 12: 51-6)