Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in peripheral pulmonary lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) remains a challenge for physicians. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been applied in the diagnosis of PPLs, but its diagnostic rate varies widely. The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to figure out the accuracy and safety of EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of PPLs. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies published from January 1, 2000 to December 30, 2021 and used PICO (Participants, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) to worked out the diagnostic rate of EBUS-TBNA in PPLs. Two reviewers independently performed the data extraction and assessed study quality. Statistical analysis was carried out via R software. In 7 studies of totally 510 patients of PPLs, the overall EBUS-TBNA diagnosis yield is 0.75 (95% CI 0.67-0.84) by the random effect model. EBUS-TBNA showed a higher accuracy of 0.64 (95% CI 0.53-0.74) compared to 0.46 (95% CI 0.19-0.72) of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy (EBUS-TBB) when EBUS probe is adjacent to lesions. In the case of malignant lesions, the diagnostic rate of EBUS-TBNA is 0.79 (95% CI 0.72-0.88). Combined EBUS-TBNA with conventional bronchoscopy procedures showed the highest diagnostic yield (0.83 (95% CI 0.79-0.87)). Collectively, EBUS-TBNA should be performed firstly in patients with PPLs suspected to lung cancer especially when the EBUS probe was adjacent to the lesions. No serious procedure-related complications were observed.