Lung cancer staging by combined endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): The gastroenterologist's perspective

Mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes stations. Lymph nodes accessible to endoscopic ultrasound scope include level 2 right and left of trachea, 4 R/L, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Lymph nodes anterior to the trachea (levels 2 and 4) are accessible only to endobronchial ultrasound scope.

Curvilinear echoendoscope with 22 gauge needle for the performance of fine needle aspiration (Olympus GF-UC140P-AL5, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).

Curvilinear (Olympus GF-UC140P-AL5) (A), endobronchial (Olympus BF-UC160F-OL8) (B), and radial array (Olympus GF-UE160_AL5) (C), echoendoscopes in comparison.

Subcarinal lymph node is seen immediately under the echoendoscope (curvilinear), between the left atrium and pulmonary artery. A needle is seen passing into the lymph node (arrow).

Aortopulmonary window lymph node seen with curvilinear echoendoscope. Note the landmarks of aorta and pulmonary artery.

View of pretracheal lymph node with convex array endobronchial echoendoscope. A needle is seen passing into the lymph node (arrow).