Severe Complications of Ultrasound Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration--A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has become essential for the workup of patients with lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases. The emphasis of currently available literature is related to the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA which was found to be high. Complications seem to be rare but such data are scant. We report three cases of complications including mediastinitis, pneumothorax and bleeding and provide a review on the existing literature.