Virtual bronchoscopy for directing transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a preliminary investigation of virtual bronchoscopy as a guide for transbronchial needle aspiration of hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes to assess the usefulness of this technique.

CONCLUSION

Virtual bronchoscopic images derived from routine helical CT scans were useful for directing transbronchial needle aspiration in a clinical setting. In addition, virtual bronchoscopy may have been responsible for improving the yield of transbronchial needle aspirations done by our bronchoscopists when 22-gauge needles were used.