Endobronchial Ultrasound

 

​Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is an advanced bronchoscopy technique performed by Dr Chapman. Dr Chapman performs EBUS at the Luton and Dunstable University hospital for NHS and private patients. Private patients have their procedure done through the Cobham Clinic at the hospital but you can be seen and assessed at Pinehill hospital or Spire Harpenden hospital for the procedure.

 

EBUS is used to diagnose the cause of enlarged lymph nodes (glands) within the chest. The cause of these enlarged nodes include sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and cancer.

 

EBUS uses a very small high resolution ultrasound probe on the end of the a bronchoscope which is attached to a special ultrasound machine. This allows Dr Chapman to look down the airways (just like in a normal bronchoscopy) but to also see beyond the walls of the airways in order to take samples from these areas using a special needle. The samples are taken from lymph nodes near the airways, which have been shown to be enlarged on prior CT imaging.

 

 

The alternative to this procedure involves a general anaesthetic, surgery and admission to a specialist hospital, whereas EBUS is done as a day procedure, allowing you to go home later the same morning.

 

You will be sedated and given local anaesthetic for the procedure to ensure your comfort throughout. You must therefore not have eaten or drunk anything 6 hours prior to the procedure.We ask that someone is available to take you home and be with you that afternoon after having sedation.

 

More information on EBUS can be found on the Patient.co.uk website.