Uses, limitations, and complications of endobronchial ultrasound.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) plays a pivotal role in the minimally invasive staging of non-small cell lung cancer. The role of EBUS is progressively expanding to include the evaluation of peribronchial lesions, pulmonary nodules, and other mediastinal abnormalities. Recently, EBUS has assisted in the diagnosis of many other disease entities, including malignancies and various infections such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. This article reviews the indications and contraindications of EBUS, with emphasis on the technique and complications encountered during the procedure.