Endobronchial Ultrasound for Nodal Staging of Patients with Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Radiologically Normal Mediastinum. A Meta-Analysis

Rationale: An accurate assessment of the mediastinal lymph node status is essential in the staging and treatment planning of potentially resectable non–small-cell lung cancer.Objectives: We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in detecting occult mediastinal disease in non–small-cell lung cancer with no radiologic mediastinal involvement.Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane libraries were searched for studies describing the role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in patients with lung cancer with radiologically negative mediastinum. The individual and pooled sensitivity, prevalence, negative predictive value, and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated using the random effects model. Meta-regression analysis, heterogeneity, and publication bias were also assessed.Results: A total of 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes of the...