Endobronchial Ultrasound in Early Lung Cancer

초기 폐암에서 기관지 초음파 내시경의 임상적 유용성

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), which enables visualization of lesions beyond the bronchus, broadens the fields of bronchoscopy. Two types of ultrasound, radial and linear, are used for bronchoscopy. Radial EBUS is performed by inserting an ultrasound mini-probe through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. Evaluation of the depth of invasion of early endobronchial lung cancers using radial EBUS is useful in deciding endobronchial treatment. A central tumor limited to within the cartilaginous layer is a good indication for endobronchial photodynamic therapy. EBUS-guide sheath (GS) technique is a sampling method assisted by localization of peripheral lesions using EBUS. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-GS method is higher than that of conventional transbronchial biopsy. High diagnostic values of EBSU-GS method are reported even in small (${\leq}2cm$) peripheral tumors. Linear EBUS is used for endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS-TBNA has high diagnostic yields in mediastinal staging of lung cancer even in patients having radiologically early stage lung cancers with normal CT or PET findings in the mediastinum. EBUS is a valuable method in evaluating early endobronchial tumors and peripheral small lung cancers and as well as in mediastinal staging.