What is endobronchial ultrasound (or EBUS)?
Endobronchial ultrasound is a new technique providing a more versatile and less invasive way to look at your lymph nodes and chest tumors to determine if your cancer has spread to other areas of the body. A thoracic surgeon performs the EBUS procedure by inserting a flexible tube into the trachea or the airway and down the esophagus to reach the nodes or tumors at the front, sides and below the trachea and in the lung. Through the tube, surgeons are able to get lung and lymph node tissue and fluid samples, which they can test right in the operating room. Benefits of EBUS include higher accuracy, no required cutting or incision, the opportunity for immediate surgery if necessary, and ability of patients to go home the same day if no further surgery is required.
