EUS-FNA of the esophagus and mediastinum

Abstract

EUS is accurate in identification and evaluation of mediastinal mass lesions. Tissue acquisition of these lesions has always been a challenging task. FNA can be performed under EUS guidance under real-time vision with precise needle control and accurate needle placement inside the tumor. Doppler further improves safety of the procedure. A majority of mediastinal lesions do not require surgery as primary treatment, and therefore EUS helps to prevent an unnecessary thoracotomy in these patients [1, 2].