The intubated patient with mediastinal disease--a role for esophageal access using the endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope.

Abstract

Ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration using the bronchoscope with a dedicated curvilinear probe has emerged as a primary tool for the investigation of mediastinal pathology. Recently, the utility of this scope has been expanded to include access via the esophagus. In this case series, we describe a role for esophageal ultrasound using the endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope in the diagnostic evaluation of critically ill/intubated patients with mediastinal disease. Esophageal access with the ultrasound bronchoscope allows the pulmonologist to diagnose mediastinal disease in the intubated patient with minimal risk.

• Authors: Nutan Bhaskar, Yousef R Shweihat, Thaddeus Bartter
• Journal: Journal of intensive care medicine (J Intensive Care Med) 2014 Jan-Feb Vol. 29 Issue 1 Pg. 43-6 ISSN: 1525-1489 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22930797 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Bronchoscopy (methods)
• Endosonography (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Intensive Care Units
• Male
• Mediastinal Diseases (diagnosis, therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Radiography, Thoracic
• Respiration, Artificial
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed