Convex probe endobronchial ultrasound: historical, contemporary, and cutting-edge applications.

The use of convex-probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) has revolutionized bronchoscopy. It has provided the option of a relatively safe, minimally invasive approach for the assessment of various intrathoracic diseases. In current practice, its most dramatic impact has been on the diagnosing and staging of lung cancer. It has served as an invaluable tool that has replaced mediastinoscopy in a variety of clinical scenarios. Many pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons consider CP-EBUS the most significant milestone in bronchoscopy after the development of the flexible bronchoscope itself. In this review, we summarize the historical aspects, current indications, technical approach, and future direction of CP-EBUS. 2020 Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Since the inception of endobronchial ultrasound, its use within thoracic medicine has become widespread in most developed countries. It has allowed for the use of a minimally invasive approach for the management of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and lung lesions. Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) and convex-probe EBUS (CP-EBUS) are two modalities of endobronchial ultrasound use within the tracheobronchial tree. In contemporary practice, RP-EBUS is performed with a radial probe (with or without a balloon), (), which is advanced through the working channel of a bronchoscope. After processing, the ultrasound waves are translated into a 360-degree grey scale image (). RP-EBUS is most commonly used for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules. Although it does allow real-time imaging, it unfortunately does not allow real-time guidance. Convex-probe EBUS also uses ultrasound technology to assist with imaging structures that are beyond the field of visualization of white light bronchoscopy. A convex ultrasound transducer is incorporated into the tip of the flexible bronchoscope; the transducer forms a grey-scale image that is parallel to the insertion of the bronchoscope () (1). A saline-filled balloon tip can be used to improve surface contact and enhance image quality. Doppler imaging can also be used to delineate vascular structures as well. The key differences between RP-EBUS and CP-EBUS are summarized in . One of the main advantages of CP-EBUS is its ability to provide real-time guidance when obtaining samples. When combined with concurrent transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), it has gained popularity in the diagnosis of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy as well as in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Excluding the development of the fiberoptic bronchoscope itself, many consider endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) as the greatest milestone in bronchoscopy history (2). In a number of clinical scenarios, it has either replaced or decreased significantly the use of mediastinoscopy. Convex-probe EBUS-TBNA is a safe procedure and is usually performed by pulmonologists or thoracic surgeons. Its benefits include its minimally invasive approach and ability to be performed under conscious sedation. In settings where rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is used, patients typically receive a preliminary diagnosis after the procedure. Even when general anesthesia is used, most cases can be conducted in an outpatient setting. A tool that was initially developed for evaluation of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy has proven to be useful in the management of a number of other thoracic diseases (3). It has been a research niche for thousands of people, the number publications describing EBUS-TBNA has risen exponentially (4). In this review, we discuss the history of CP-EBUS, its current application, and its future direction.

Figure 1

Key features of RP-EBUS. (A) A RP-EBUS probe can be advanced through the working channel of the bronchoscope to obtain and a 360° greyscale image of parenchymal lesions, such as a lung nodule (B). RP-EBUS, radial probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Figure 2

Key features of CP-EBUS. (A) The CP-EBUS is an excellent tool for visualizing and sampling (B,C,D) intrathoracic lymph nodes. Color Doppler can be used to assess for vascularity prior to and during sampling (C,D). CP-EBUS, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Table 1

Key differences between RP-EBUS and CP-EBUS

Characteristic	RP-RBUS	CP-EBUS
Angle of view	360°	90°
Penetration	4–5 cm	>5 cm
Resolution	Comparatively worse	Comparatively better
Airway wall visualization	Yes, with balloon inflation	Yes, not as well studied
Doppler	No	Yes
Real-time sampling	No	Yes

RP-EBUS, radial probe endobronchial ultrasound; CP-EBUS, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Past

Endoscopic ultrasound was first used within the field of gastroenterology for staging esophageal and gastric malignancies (5). Later, the use of ultrasound within the airways was developed in the early 1990s. These small ultrasound probes, also known as “miniprobes” were the first generation of radial probe EBUS (RP-EBUS) (6). In 2002, Herth et al. published the first report of using RP-EBUS to guide transbronchial biopsies for the assessment of lung nodules (7). Although RP-EBUS was able to provide real-time images for biopsy planning, the actual biopsy was blind and had to be guided with imaging modalities such as fluoroscopy. As the importance of real-time biopsy guidance rose, the CP-EBUS was subsequently developed in 2002 (8).

Because the convex-probe EBUS has been used for the staging of lung cancer from its infancy its accuracy is often compared to what is seen with mediastinoscopy (9-11). The latter has been regarded as the gold standard for the mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It typically allows access to the upper paratracheal (stations 2R and 2L), lower paratracheal (stations 4R and 4L) and subcarinal (station 7) lymph nodes (12). Overall, it is safe; the reported complication rate is up to 2.5% (pneumothorax, infection, and injury to nearby structures [vessels, nerves, bronchi, and esophagus]), mortality rate is estimated to be 0.08% (mostly being driven by injury to major vascular structures) (13). Due to the use of more minimally invasive techniques, rates of mediastinoscopy have been falling in the United States. One study indicated that the median center rate for mediastinoscopy being performed dropped from 21.6% to 10% between 2006 and 2010 (14). When compared to EBUS-TBNA, standard cervical mediastinoscopy has more complications, unequivocally requires general anesthesia and a small incision at/above the suprasternal notch, is more expensive, and has a higher risk and rate of complications (15). In addition, data shows endosonographic assessment of lymphadenopathy [EBUS-TBNA/endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)] has a similar yield but with lower complication rates when compared to mediastinoscopy for the mediastinal staging of NSCLC (16).

It is the culmination of these important factors that set the foundation for CP-EBUS to rise in popularity and achieve widespread use.

Present

At present, there are three companies [Olympus America© (Center Valley, PA, United States), Pentax Ricoh Imaging© (Tokyo, Japan), and Fujifilm Holdings© (Tokyo, Japan)] that produce the CP-EBUS bronchoscopes that are in current use (). The bronchoscopes share a similar design and have a few unique features. The salient features are described in . In current practice, CP-EBUS is mainly used for the diagnosis and/or staging of NSCLC. In addition, there is a body of literature to support its use in diagnosing various diseases that may present with intrathoracic adenopathy such as lymphoma, sarcoidosis, and infectious diseases.

Figure 3

There are three CP-EBUS bronchoscopes currently available on the market: (A) Olympus©, (B) Fujifilm©, and (C) Pentax©. The most significant difference between the bronchoscopes is the viewing angle: (D) Olympus©, (E) Fujifilm©, and (F) Pentax©. CP-EBUS, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Table 2

Salient features of CP-EBUS bronchoscopes currently available on the market

Characteristic	Olympus©	Pentax©	Fujifilm©
Model(s)	BF-UC160-OL8, BF-UC180F	EB-1970UK	EB-530US
Scanning frequency*	5, 6, 7.5, 8, 10, or 12 MHz	5, 7.5, or 10 MHz	5, 7.5, 10, or 12 MHz
Distal outer diameter	6.9 mm	6.3 mm	6.7 mm
Working channel size	2.0 or 2.2 mm	2.0 mm	2.0 mm
Direction of view	30° forward oblique	45° forward oblique	10° forward oblique

*, availability of scanning frequency is dependent on the processor the bronchoscope is paired with. CP-EBUS, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Diagnosis and staging of NSCLC

An important tenant within the evaluation of NSCLC is that diagnosis and staging be performed during the same procedure (i.e., EBUS-TBNA), especially in patients with any adenopathy. Strict attempts to promote this process appear to protect the patient from unnecessary diagnostic procedures (i.e., CT-guided fine needle aspiration in the setting of obvious nodal disease) and result in more rapid and accurate staging (17,18). In fact, current expert panel recommendations state suspicious mediastinal lymphadenopathy should undergo staging evaluation by a needle technique such as EBUS-TBNA, EUS-FNA, or a combined approach (19,20). In addition, these same guidelines recommend the least number of procedures should be performed for both the stating and diagnosis of suspected NSCLC (21). Unfortunately, studies have shown that failing to follow guideline-consistent care is not uncommon (18,22). A large retrospective cohort study of over 15,000 patients with lung cancer showed that an exceedingly high number of patients with NSCLC (44%) did not have the mediastinum sampled and relied on imaging only (22). When compared to chest CT (sensitivity 76.9%/specificity 55.3%) or PET (80%/70.1%), EBUS-TBNA (92.3%/100%) is more accurate in staging intrathoracic lymph nodes (23). In the same study, the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA was also higher (98%) when compared to CT (60.8%) or PET (72.5%).

In addition to superior diagnostic performance when compared to imaging modalities alone, other minimally invasive methods can be used to augment EBUS-TBNA. In general, EBUS-TBNA can access several nodal stations: 2, 3P, 4, 7, 10, 11 and 12. Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration typically allows access to stations 4L, 7, 8, and 9 (24). Specifically, the addition of EUS-FNA allows access to stations 8 and 9, which are not accessible by EBUS-TBNA. In a meta-analysis, the sensitivity of an EBUS-TBNA and EUS-FNA approach is estimated to be 90% (25). The combination of which may provide the best option for a minimally invasive approach to stage lung cancer. In addition to intrathoracic adenopathy, there is data that demonstrates that EBUS-TBNA can be useful in sampling the left adrenal gland in patients with lung cancer (26).

In recent history, the molecular characterization of lung cancer has gained clinical significance. Newer treatment modalities target molecular pathways that are essential to the survival of malignant cells: epidermal growth factor receptor (gefitinib), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (certinib), ROS-1 (crizotinib), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) (nivolumab), etc. The most novel of these targets is PD-1/PD-L1. PD-L1 positivity appears to be higher in certain patients with NSCLC: males, smokers, advanced pathologic stages, positive vessel invasion, and positive lymphatic invasion (27). Tissue specimens derived from EBUS-TBNA has been found to be reliable to perform molecular bio-marker analysis (28). However, this is dependent on the cutoff value used for a sample to be considered PD-L1 positive (29). A study by Sakata et al. showed that concordance rates between EBUS-TBNA derived samples and surgical lung biopsy samples range between 82–87%. The concordance rates for PD-L1 ≥1% and ≥50% were 87% and 82%, respectively (29). Sakakibara et al. also showed good concordance between EBUS-TBNA and the corresponding primary tumor in regard to PD-L1 positivity (30). In the current landscape of lung cancer therapy, immunotherapy is considered the cornerstone of management in advanced stages that can, ultimately, extend survival (31).

After appropriate diagnosis, staging and therapy, EBUS-TBNA still maintains an important role in lung cancer management. It is the preferred modality for re-biopsy to assess for relapse after therapy or response after neoadjuvant treatment (32,33). These re-biopsies are useful in detecting specific new mutations, which may have therapeutic implications (the use of osimertinib for T790M mutation for instance) (34).

Lymphoma

Endobronchial ultrasound-TBNA has also been shown useful in the diagnosis of lymphoma, albeit, with limitations. A study has shown that the sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA for the detection of lymphoma was 76%; however, the sensitivity for the definitive diagnosis of lymphoma was only 57% (35). Lymphoma detection by EBUS-TBNA in another study was 65% (diagnostic sensitivity) and 96.1% (negative predictive value) (36). A more recent study quoted an overall sensitivity that was 85%, but 91% for detection of recurrence (37). Overall, these were small studies; the body of medical literature suggests that the diagnostic accuracy of EBUS-TBNA for lymphoma is significantly lower than it is for lung cancer staging. The small volume of specimens obtained poses difficulties for confirming specific subtypes, which is key for formulating a treatment plan. Even with this potential limitation, it may be reasonable to consider using EBUS-TBNA in a patient suspected to have lymphoma with isolated mediastinal lymphadenopathy, in order to avoid a surgical biopsy.

At present, the American College of Chest Physicians Expert Panel states that EBUS-TBNA is an acceptable initial, minimally invasive diagnostic test for a patient with suspected lymphoma (38). It is important to keep in mind that this is an ungraded, consensus-based statement; there is not an agreement amongst international societies. The British Thoracic Society states that “at present, there is insufficient evidence to recommend EBUS-TBNA for routine use in the diagnosis of lymphoma” (39).

Sarcoidosis

Endobronchial ultrasound TBNA has been proven to be useful for evaluating benign causes of thoracic lymphadenopathy as well. It provides diagnostic information in patients with early stage sarcoidosis that have adenopathy, but minimal changes to the lung parenchyma (40). It should be kept in mind that a tissue diagnosis is not necessary for most patients with stage I (bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy) sarcoidosis and that clinical/radiological findings may be specific enough to secure a diagnosis (41-43). When compared to the conventional transbronchial biopsy, the yield of EBUS-TBNA in this clinical setting is higher. Gupta et al. suggest that EBUS-TBNA should be combined with transbronchial lung biopsies to optimize yield for sarcoidosis (44). A significant criticism of this study was the lack of ROSE in either arm (45).

Based on the results of the GRANULOMA study, endosonographic (EUS-FNA or EBUS-TBNA) the diagnosis of lower stage (I and II) of sarcoidosis was higher when compared to conventional bronchoscopy biopsy (transbronchial or endobronchial biopsy) (46). The diagnostic yield of granuloma detection was 80% in the endosonographic group vs. 53% in the standard bronchoscopy group.

Unfortunately the latest consensus statement regarding the diagnosis sarcoidosis by a multi-organizational group (American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, and the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders) was made several years prior to the development of EBUS-TBNA (47).

Infectious diseases

There are several infectious diseases that can present with intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. For example, both primary tuberculosis (TB) and post-primary TB can have intrathoracic lymphadenopathy. In fact, thoracic lymphadenopathy is an important radiographic feature of primary TB and is seen in 40% of adult cases and 90–95% of pediatric cases (48). In a meta-analysis of eight studies involving 809 patients with TB, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of intrathoracic TB was 80% and 100% (49). In a similar light, the pooled sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA for diagnostic intrathoracic TB lymphadenitis was 87%. The overall diagnostic sensitivity for intrathoracic TB was 80%, sensitivity for TB lymphadenitis was 87% (49). The studies that were included in this meta-analysis were from China, Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ireland. The geographic variability is importance since as prevalence of the disease may vary based on geographic location.

EBUS-TBNA has also been found to be useful in identifying the cause of granulomatous inflammation within intra-thoracic lymph nodes. In a study of 210 patients that underwent EBUS-TBNA, 56 were found to have granulomatous inflammation on histocytological evaluation (50). Twenty of these patients were found to have caseating granulomas of varying etiologies: histoplasma, Blastomyces, or mycobacterium TB.

There are useful applications amongst immunocompromised hosts as well. In patients with HIV, EBUS-TBNA itself had a diagnostic yield of 60.5%. A diagnostic accuracy of 97.7% was present with the combination of transbronchial biopsy and EBUS-TBNA. The most common infectious organism in this cohort was TB (51).

Akin to other etiologies of thoracic lymphadenopathy, the data for EBUS-TBNA in diagnosing an infectious etiology is not as unequivocally proven as it is for lung and other solid cancers (52-54). In a study of 82 patients, the results suggested that EBUS-TBNA may not be sufficiently sensitive to rule out infectious causes of adenopathy. Only five percent of patients in this cohort had HIV. Only two patients had a bacterial culture from the EBUS-TBNA that was positive for an organism that could potentially be pathogenic. In addition, two more patients had a positive Mycobacterial culture (both for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare) (55).

Mediastinal lesions

In contemporary practice, EBUS-TBNA can be used as a therapeutic intervention as well. If clinically indicated, a variety of mediastinal lesions can be accessed or sampled. In the case of a cyst in the mediastinum, full drainage may also be possible with EBUS-TBNA (56). Prior to procedural planning, a careful review of the chest CT can help formulate a differential diagnosis of what the lesion may be. Location of the mass in relation to the mediastinal compartment and its Hounsfield Units are useful clues. In a retrospective study of 140 patients with mediastinal masses of unknown etiology and no evidence of lung cancer or other pulmonary malignancy, EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic in 131 (93.6%) of patients (57). It is unclear how many of these mediastinal masses could have been large intrathoracic lymph nodes. There are several case reports outlining the use of CP-EBUS for draining mediastinal lesions such as esophageal duplications cysts (), bronchogenic cysts, and pericardial effusions (58-60). It is important to note that these therapeutic applications of CP-EBUS are yet to be supported by robust data. In our own experience, complete therapeutic success is uncommon.

Figure 4

Convex probe endobronchial ultrasound is useful in the management of a variety of mediastinal pathology. (A) A middle mediastinal mass noted on contrast-enhanced chest CT; (B) it was visualized and sampled successfully with the use of CP-EBUS; the cytological results were consistent with an esophageal duplication cyst. CP-EBUS, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Performing EBUS-TBNA in present day

The success of EBUS-TBNA is predicated on a variety of factors: patient selection, available equipment, and the management of specimens (acquisition, processing, and interpretation). The procedural steps of EBUS-TBNA are outlined below. There are a lot of nuances within the described technique; there may be subtle differences in approach between any two bronchoscopists. The procedure can be performed under moderate sedation or with general anesthesia. Two commonly used airway devices include the endotracheal tube and the laryngeal mask airway. The type of anesthesia and the airway used can vary between bronchoscopists and centers.

EBUS-TBNA procedural steps

Equipment

The CP-EBUS bronchoscope is connected to an ultrasound processor that allows to record the patient information, measure the lesion, label, adjust the scanning range (the typical default 4 cm range permits to visualize best most of the hilar, mediastinal and vascular structures), regulate the gain to improve imaging, use of color/power flow to help identify vascular structures, or perform elastography to identify different strain/stiffness in the tissue (61-63). Several dedicated aspiration needles are available allowing real-time EBUS-TBNA. For optimization of the ultrasound (US) imaging, a latex balloon should be attached to the tip of the EBUS scope with a dedicated applicator forceps and be filled with 0.3 to 0.5 mL of saline if it is necessary during the procedure (63,64).

Insertion of the EBUS bronchoscope

It is essential to know that the tip of the CP-EBUS scope may not be visible and the field of view depends on the type of bronchoscope used (). The quality of the image is lower than a conventional bronchoscope. In order to obtain a straight view, the tip of the scope needs to be flexed down (thumb up). Therefore, when the scope is advanced, the visualization must be slightly anterior, and in this way do not traumatize the posterior structures of the upper and lower airways.

If an endotracheal tube is not used, the scope must be passed throughout the vocal cords visualizing the anterior angle of the glottis. Never force the scope into the glottis, because the non-visible tip may cause dislocation of the cartilage (63). Passing through the vocal cords should occur with the tip of the bronchoscope slightly flexed anteriorly (thumb down). While it is advanced into the proximal airway the thumb should progressively push the control lever up, as it passes downwards, the upper trachea follows the curvature of the spine going slightly backward. Thus, the scope must follow its curvature to prevent any trauma; callousness in this step can lead to tears of the tracheal wall (). Posteriorly, the tip of the scope is adjusted to favor anterior visualization until it is positioned in the distal trachea.

Video 1

White light bronchoscopy reveals a tear in the membranous wall of the trachea due to mishandling of an EBUS bronchoscope. There is also evidence of scope induced damage in the distal portion of the posterior wall of the LMSB. EBUS, endobronchial ultrasound; LMSB, left main stem bronchus.

Finding the lymph node

Once the EBUS scope is in the mid to distal trachea, the balloon is inflated with saline to optimize the US probe contact, wave transmission, and imaging. Visualization of areas such as the hilar and interlobar lymph nodes may only need a small amount of saline in the balloon (less than 0.5 mL) or no balloon at all. Most other areas usually require use of the balloon with more than 0.5 mL of saline for best visualization. Due to the angulation of the airway, station 4L can be difficult area for the EBUS scope to make contact (63,65,66). Airway anatomic landmarks and vascular ultrasound imaging are used to identify the different stations (65,66).

When an EBUS-TBNA staging is performed, to avoid contamination and upstaging, the starting station should be the contralateral hilum or mediastinum of the primary suspicious or known lung cancer location. This should be followed by staging of the lymph nodes of the contralateral mediastinum (if starting on the contralateral hilum), central/ipsilateral mediastinum, and finally, the ipsilateral hilum. If evaluating a right lung lesion, the staging should start at station 11L (or 4L/2L) and typically conclude with station 11R. A summary of the endoscopic locations of the various stations can be found in .

Table 3

Endoscopic locations of lymph nodes accessible by CP-EBUS

Station	Anatomic location	Important points
2L	Superior to the upper margin of the aortic arch (AA) in the left lateral border of the trachea	The left lateral border of the trachea separates the left from the right stations. Lymph nodes located immediately anterior to the trachea, are right paratracheal nodes. This is important when differentiating ipsilateral from contralateral involvement
2R	Superior to intersection of caudal margin of the innominate vein with the trachea (or a horizontal line traced from the upper border of the AA)	–
4L	Nine o'clock position in the distal trachea. The upper border of station 4 is the transverse plane of the AA. The lower border is the superior margin of the left pulmonary artery (PA)	Identified by advancing the scope to the distal left main stem bronchus (LMSB), the scope is slightly rotated to the left if needed in order to position the left upper at the 12 o’clock position in the airway screen. The scope is then flexed up at which point the PA should be visualized. The scope is pulled back until the next vascular structure is visualized, the AA. Nodes identified between these two vessels belong to station 4L
4R	Between 12 and 3 o'clock in the distal trachea about 1-2 cm above the main carina. The inferior border of the 4R node is the inferior margin of the azygos vein (AV). Often, you will see the node right on top of the superior vena cava	Place the scope in the right main stem bronchus (RMSB) just proximal to the right upper lobe orifice positioned at 12 o’clock of the airway view. The scope is then flexed up and pulled back until the AV is identified. Lymph nodes located between lower border of the AV and the intersection of caudal margin of the innominate vein with the trachea (or a horizontal line traced from the upper border of the AA) will be station 4R. Identification of the AV is critical as it separates 4R (N2) from 10R (N1) for ipsilateral tumors
7	Between the carina of the trachea and the upper border of the lower lobe bronchus on the left (before takeoff of left lower and left upper lobes) and the lower border of the bronchus intermedius (before takeoff of the right middle lobe) on the right	Can be located by placing the scope in the RMSB and identifying the PA at 12 o’clock and rotating the scope to 9 o’clock. It also can be located on the right or left main stem bronchi medial wall starting from the main carina. Caution should be placed as the node must be clearly identified from the esophagus, which is more commonly identified when US used in the left main stem bronchi (LMSB)
10L	Typically found in the LMSB around the 10 o’clock position in the area between the upper rim of the PA and the left interlobar space	–
10R	Located in the RMSB under the lower rim of the AV and above the plane extended from the interlobar region	It can be localized using the same strategy of localizing the 4R. But instead of moving proximally after identifying the AV, the operator moves distally
11L	Situated in the interlobar area of the left side in the proximal portion of the left lower lobe	Advance the EBUS scope to the opening of left lower lobe. Place the transducer on the lower surface of the interlobar carina and typically rotating the scope slightly to the left
11Rs	Located between the upper lobe bronchus and the bronchus intermedius on the right lateral wall	–
11Ri	Located between the middle and lower lobe bronchus	–

AA, aortic arch; LMSB, left main stem bronchus; PA, pulmonary artery; AV, azygos vein; RMSB, right main stem bronchus.

Sampling technique

The aspiration needle is inserted through the instrument channel while the control lever is in a neutral position to avoid channel damage. The aspiration needle is secured in the scope, locking the connecting slider to the instrument channel port. The sheet adjuster knob is released, the adjuster is pushed down until the sheet is visible and the knob is tightened. After locating and positioning the target (most commonly) to the left of the US image (this can be changed based on operator’s preference), the stopper is adjusted or removed, the needle adjuster is unlocked, and the needle slider is pushed down until the needle is advanced into the target. The needle will appear in the right upper corner of the US image and will advance obliquely down and to the left. When the needle is in the target, most operators will move the stylet up and down at least once to presumably eliminate the bronchial epithelium that passed into the needle, and the stylet is then pulled back about 15 cm or completely remove it. Data has shown that stylet use does not improve diagnostic yield in CP-EBUS (67). The suction system could be attached if is necessary and the needle is moved up and down 5 to 15 times into the target from its upper to the lower edge (capsule to capsule in a lymph node). Then, if the suction was attached, it must be turned off. The needle can be removed moving the sliding needle upwards until a click is felt for most commonly used needles; the needle adjuster is pushed up back into position and is locked. The bronchoscope must be in neutral position, the connecting slider is unlocked, and the aspiration needle can be withdrawn.

Optimization and troubleshooting

During EBUS-TBNA, penetration of the needle through the airway may push the airway away from the probe, which will result in loss of ultrasound imaging of the target. It can be resolved by asking the assistant to hold and push the bronchoscope lightly while the bronchoscopist introduces the needle into the lesion. When several hyperechoic parallel lines are observed in the US image, it means the US probe/balloon does not have enough contact with the airway wall. Re-positioning the EBUS probe or increasing the size of the balloon should resolve this problem.

In case of latex allergy, the procedure must be performed without the balloon (63). If imaging is not ideal, some authors recommend the use of a water-based lubricant to improve US visualization (64). For improvement of the suctioning, the working channel may be covered with a finger while the suction button is pressed. When the camera has a clot and cannot be suctioned, the balloon can be deflated, and the scope should be advanced to distal airway. The scope must be pulled up rubbing the walls while suctioning to clean the camera. When the insertion of the needle is difficult, sharpen the needle pulling up the stylet a millimeter cold help to ease the needle insertion. If a scant sample was obtained without suction, a vacuum pressure syringe could be used to improve the sample size. If suctioning was used and the ROSE showed a non-diagnostic bloody sample, next pass should be done without suctioning.

Procedural billing

Unfortunately, reimbursement within the United States has recently been reduced for EBUS (68). Due to federal re-evaluation, reimbursement for an EBUS was lowered in the beginning of 2016. Based on an equation published in this study, it is estimated that almost $5,000 in total revenue (unadjusted for geographic practice cost index) would be lost for every 100 patients that underwent an EBUS procedure. When extrapolated to a high-volume center, this can equate to thousands of dollars of lost revenue every year.

Future

The future of CP-EBUS looks bright. Its current applications are well established; new indications are currently being evaluated. It is equally important to standardize EBUS training for the next generation of bronchoscopists.

Standardization of training

No two pulmonary training programs are alike. This has led to a significant degree of variance of a trainee’s exposure to procedures such as CP-EBUS. At present the American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and European Respiratory Society recommend that a minimum of 40 to 50 supervised EBUS bronchoscopies are performed, before a trainee is ready for independent practice (69,70). To maintain competency, it is recommended that at least 20 procedures are performed every year. The debate of the value of volume based competency for EBUS-TBNA is ongoing (71-73). It is suspected that most institutions do not track trainee EBUS-TBNA volume and do not follow ATS or CHEST recommendations (73). This has the potential of causing significant bottlenecks in the training of competent advanced diagnostic bronchoscopists in the years to come.

Recently, EBUS training has relied heavily on virtual simulators. There is data to support that bronchoscopy skills improve with early use of high-fidelity virtual simulators (74). The American College of Chest Physicians recommends that simulators be incorporated (low or high fidelity) in the training of EBUS-TBNA operators (Grade 2C) (38). They also recommend objective validated EBUS skills assessment tests be used to assess skill (ungraded, consensus-based statement) (38). The EBUS Skills and Task Assessment Tool (EBUS-STAT) has been validated as an objective assessment of skill level; it is the probably the most commonly used assessment tool (75). Other virtual reality-based assessment tools [Bronch Mentor™ (3D Systems, Littleton, Colorado, U.S.) and EndoVR™ Interventional Simulator (CAE Healthcare, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.)] have also been used to objectively assess EBUS-TBNA skills (76,77). However, these require the purchase of expensive simulation machines.

Cutting edge horizon

The application of CP-EBUS continues to expand in breadth and depth. Recently, EBUS-TBNA has been shown to be effective in sampling intrapulmonary lesions, with a diagnostic yield close to 90% amongst 108 procedures (78).

Endobronchial ultrasound has also become useful in imaging the pulmonary artery. There are multiple case reports of pulmonary artery embolisms being diagnosed in patients who were undergoing CP-EBUS (79-81). In conventional teaching, one of the main advantages of CP-EBUS is the real time visualization and avoidance of adjacent vascular structures during a needle aspiration. In recent history, CP-EBUS has been used to visualize and diagnose primary and metastatic pulmonary artery tumors (82,83).

The field of lung cancer chemotherapy is also reaping the benefits of CP-EBUS. Currently there is ongoing research into the effectiveness of EBUS transbronchial bronchial needle injection delivery of chemotherapy to treat locoregional recurrence of lung cancer (84).

The next generation of CP-EBUS is still under development. It is noted to be smaller, have sharper needle angles, decreased forward oblique view, and more flexible angulation range (85). Thin CP-EBUS probes are hopefully going to allow the operator to assess distal N1 nodes and more distal intrapulmonary lesions. When these bronchoscopes were used among five ex vivo human lungs that were declined for lung transplantation, they demonstrated a 22.1 mm greater maximum reach and 10.3 further endoscopic visibility range when compared to the current, standard size CP-EBUS (86). Subsegmental lymph nodes could be accessed. The lymph nodes in this study were sampled via the use of a prototype 25 G aspiration needle.

Conclusions

Convex probe EBUS is an essential tool for advanced diagnostic pulmonologists, interventional pulmonologists, and thoracic surgeons with applications that have become more versatile since its inception. Many consider it one of the major landmarks in the history of bronchoscopy. In this current day and age, it is rare that mediastinoscopy is performed for evaluation of thoracic lymphadenopathy where EBUS is available. In fact, mediastinoscopy in lung cancer staging may become obsolete in the years to come. There are current, ongoing trials to assess whether mediastinoscopy should even be considered after a negative endosonographic evaluation of intrathoracic lymph nodes for the staging of patients with NSCLC (87).

In summary, studies over the past two decades have proven EBUS’s usefulness in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer as well as the diagnosis of other causes of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. The procedure has been proven to be efficacious, cost-effective, and safe. With the continued advancement of biomedical engineering and imaging technology, we anticipate more applications to come to light.