TBNA


 * Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Michael Maddaleni, B.S.

Overview
TBNA or transbronchial needle aspiration is a procedure done to stage the mediastinum in lung cancer cases. This technique can be performed safely without significantly running the risk of morbidity. Most frequently, TBNA can be used to assess the subcarinal nodes, but it can also be used to biopsy the paratracheal lymph nodes. Reports have shown that it is possible to obtain adequate specimens via TBNA in approximately 80 to 90% of the cases.