Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA)

During the TBNA procedure

TBNA is a non-surgical procedure used to collect tissue for diagnosis and staging of different chest diseases.^1,3 Staging is the process of discovering whether or not the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and generally only requires conscious sedation. TBNA is different than transbronchial biopsy because your doctor can also diagnose diseases and obtain biopsies from organs or tumors that are outside of your airway.

Typically during a TBNA procedure, your doctor will pass a needle down through a bronchoscope. A bronchoscope is a long, thin tube that has a video camera on the tip which can allow the doctor to view inside your airway. The transbronchial aspiration needle will be inserted through the bronchoscope into your airway. The doctor will then pierce the needle through your airway wall into a tumor, lymph node or suspicious area. A gentle vacuum is applied to the needle which will draw a small piece of tissue into the needle’s tip.^1,2,3 The doctor will withdraw the needle and prepare the sample to be analyzed by a pathologist for diagnosis and/or staging for cancers.

Are their any risks to the TBNA procedure?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks and you should talk to your doctor about what they are. Your doctor will be able to explain the risks and answer any questions you may have.

Potential complications when using the eXcelon® Transbronchial Aspiration Needle may include but are not limited to: fever, infection, minor bleeding, bacteria, perforation of the airway, air or gas in the tissue, or spreading of blood into the lung cavity.

Recovery period for the TBNA procedure

Recovery times may vary, depending on the disease being treated. This procedure typically takes less than an hour and may be conducted in an outpatient environment.³

This reference text contains information about a specific procedure and is provided by Boston Scientific Corporation for reference only. Please talk to your doctor about complete procedural information, potential risks, and questions you may have.

References

1. Ernst AE, Silvestri GA, Johnstone D. Interventional pulmonary procedures: guidelines from the American College of Chest Doctors. Chest. 2003;123:1693-1717.
2. Merck Manual, 2nd Home edition, Section 4, Chapter 39. Online. http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/sec04/ch039/ch039c.jsp. Accessed July 28, 2004.
3. Wang K-P, Mehta A, Turner Jr JF, ed. Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Cytology and Histology Specimens. Flexible Bronchoscopy. Malden: Blackwell Publishing; 2004:117-137.