transbronchial needle aspiration


trans·bron·chi·al nee·dle as·pi·ra·tion

(TBNA) (trans-brong'kē-ăl nē'dĕl as'pir-ā'shŭn) 1. Biopsy of a structure or region adjacent to a bronchus by means of a needle introduced through a bronchoscope. 2. Diagnostic procedure used in cytology and histology studies of intrathoracic and respiratory disease.

transbronchial needle aspiration

Abbreviation: TBNA
A method of sampling abnormal tissue masses found in the mediastinum. A needle is guided into the mass during bronchoscopy, and cells are dislodged with a sawing motion. Suction is applied to gather specimens. TBNA is typically used to determine whether the mass represents a malignancy, such as a bronchogenic carcinoma or lymphoma. See also: aspiration