Transbronchial Needle Aspirates (EBUS-TBNA) | Factors Affecting Diagnostic Yield

Are you performing EBUS-TBNA on a patient?

Are you aspirating enlarged lymph nodes (>= 10 mm in diameter)?

Are the sites being aspirated positive on PET scan?

Are the selected sites accessible?

Are the pathologic processes affecting the site condusive to aspiration?

Will you be sampling several sites?

Are you able to aspirate a site several times?

Are there any problems with the needle or equipment that you are using?

Did any problems occur that stopped the procedure prematurely?

Are you experienced in EBUS-TBNA?

Are a large number of EBUS-TBNA performed at the facility?

Is cytologic assessment of aspirated material rapid and accurate?

Are appropriate studies (flow cytometry, etc) available?