Endobronchial Ultrasound

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a technology that utilizes the ability of high-frequency sound waves to pass through differing densities of tissue surrounding the airway lumen and produce a representative image. The properties of EBUS have expanded visualization from our previously limited view within the airway to beyond the airway wall. Radiologic imaging has proven to be unreliable in providing a definitive diagnosis of these structures and conventional bronchoscopic techniques lack the diagnostic yield and sensitivity to support their use. EBUS has provided pulmonologists with two platforms, convex probe endobronchial ultrasound (CP-EBUS) and radial probe ultrasound (RP-EBUS), that have changed the bronchoscopist’s practice and continues to pave the way for further advancement in pulmonology. This chapter will provide a detailed overview of the procedural details, clinical applications, and supporting data pertaining to RP-EBUS and CP-EBUS.