Advancements in Endobronchial Ultrasound

Abstract

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a diagnostic procedure that allows for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer and other lung-related diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and sarcoma. The radial probe for the EBUS device was first introduced to visualize the inside of the lungs and airway structures, and identify the extent of tumor invasion in the airway and surrounding lymph nodes. The EBUS transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is an acceptable first test in the pretreatment staging of lung cancer to appropriately understand the prognosis for curative therapies. In the future, EBUS is likely to become widely available and accessible to patients, given its low cost and minimal risk of complications compared to other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The development of more advanced EBUS technologies, such as radial EBUS, virtual bronchoscopy, fluorescence-guided bronchoscopy, and artificial intelligence will allow for improved visualization of the lungs and adequate lymph node yield, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better treatment outcomes. In conclusion, the future of EBUS modalities combined with the additions of bronchoscopic advances is expected to further improve the accuracy and precision of the procedure while limiting morbidity, and complications, and improving clinical workflow availability in the outpatient setting.