Comparison of PENTAX EB-1970UK and EB19-J10U ultrasound bronchoscopes for EBUS-TBNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Background and aim Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a widely used technique for evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy. However, limited data exist regarding the impact of different ultrasound bronchoscope models on procedural outcomes. This study assessed the technical performance, diagnostic efficacy, and safety of two PENTAX bronchoscopes—EB-1970UK and EB19-J10U—in EBUS-TBNA. Patients and methods This retrospective study included patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy who underwent EBUS-TBNA at Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University between January 2023 and March 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on the bronchoscope used: EB-1970UK (n=73) and EB19-J10U (n=75). The groups were compared for specimen adequacy, complication rates, pathological positivity, diagnostic yield, and the predictive value of elastography in differentiating benign from malignant lymph nodes. Results The specimen adequacy rate was significantly lower in the EB-1970UK group (89.77% vs. 97.03%, P < 0.05). The incidence of severe cough complications was higher in the EB-1970UK group (13.70% vs. 4.00%, P < 0.05). The pathological positivity rate (63.01% vs. 76.00%, P >0.05) and diagnostic yield (80.82% vs. 84.00%, P >0.05) were comparable. The strain ratio threshold for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes was 4.24 for EB19-J10Uand 2.115 for EB-1970UK, showing significant predictive value. Conclusion Both bronchoscopes demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and predictive value in elastography-assisted EBUS-TBNA for mediastinal lymphadenopathy. However, EB19-J10U provided better specimen adequacy and fewer severe cough complications, suggesting superior procedural efficiency and patient tolerance.