Comparison of Endobronchial Ultrasound and Computed Tomography With Fluoroscopy in the Guidance of Lung Cancer Biopsies: A Literature Review

Open lung biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing lung cancer, but it is an invasive approach. There have been several noninvasive methods developed to biopsy the lung. This literature review compares the use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and computed tomography with fluoroscopy (CTF) guidance in the biopsy of lung nodules. Computed tomography with fluoroscopy has a higher diagnostic yield than endobronchial ultrasound but has more postprocedural complications. Endobronchial ultrasound guided lung biopsy is effective when the lesions are located in the right middle lobe of the lung, and overall EBUS has a low rate of complications when compared to CTF.