Real-Time Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Implantation Of Radiotherapy Monitoring Devices

Linear real-time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has become a valuable tool for the staging of primary lung cancer. With biopsy capabilities, the EBUS allows for the noninvasive sampling of even subcentimeter lymph nodes. In the setting of inoperable lung cancer, conformal gated radiotherapy provides benefit without excessive radiation to surrounding tissues. This is an ideal therapeutic approach in malignant mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes that abut vital vascular structures. In a single procedure, EBUS can be employed to identify peribronchial lymph nodes, diagnose lymph node metastasis, and implant linear radiotherapy monitoring devices into malignant lymph nodes. This technical vignette describes this combined procedure.