The authors have no acknowledgments.

This study uses the EVIS Exera II endoscopy tower with a BF-UC180F EBUS endoscope (Figure 1) to demonstrate the scope and the Surgical Science Simulator (ENDO mentor suite) with the GI-Bronch Mentor software from Simbionix, Essential EBUS Case 6, when performing the EBUS procedure in the simulation-based setting. No patients are included in the study as the entire procedure is performed on the Surgical Science Simulator (ENDO mentor suite). Prior to the EBUS procedure, a complete bronchoscopy is performed using a regular bronchoscope to make sure the bronchial tree has been visualized systematically and to identify key anatomical positions where the underlying lymph node stations must be located (Figure 2).
1. Handling of the endoscope
NOTE: The EBUS endoscope is handled similarly to the bronchoscope. However, it is important to note that contrary to the bronchoscope, the EBUS endoscope gives an oblique angle view as the ultrasound transducer reduces the visibility (Figure 3).
<ol>
	<li>Hold the endoscope in the left hand with the left thumb on the steering lever.</li>
	<li>Hold the distal end of the endoscope in the right hand and enter the trachea through the nasal or oral cavity. When the vocal cords are visualized at the bottom of the picture (Figure 3B), administer 2 mL of 2% lidocaine twice via the simulator by pressing the appropriate button on the screen, and pass the vocal cords with care.</li>
	<li>Administer a further 2 mL of 2% lidocaine in the trachea as well as in the right and left main bronchus, respectively.</li>
</ol>
2. Anatomy
<ol>
	<li>After having inspected the bronchial tree, retract the bronchoscope and change to the EBUS scope. Turn on the ultrasound transducer and locate the six anatomical EBUS landmarks in the order mentioned below.
	<ol>
		<li>Locate Landmark 1 = station 4L
		<ol>
			<li>Locate station 4L at the left side of the trachea, just cranial to the carina. To find station 4L, turn the endoscope counterclockwise in the trachea and locate it between the arch of the aorta and the left pulmonary artery, sometimes referred to as &#34;the Mickey Mouse window&#34; (Figure 4).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Locate Landmark 2 = Station 7
		<ol>
			<li>Locate station 7 between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium below the carina. Place the EBUS scope in the right or the left main bronchus and turn the endoscope facing medially (Figure 5).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Locate Landmark 3 = Station 10L
		<ol>
			<li>Locate station 10L adjacent to the left main bronchus cranial to the left upper lobe. Place the endoscope in the left main bronchus or the left upper lobe and look upwards. The upper border of the left pulmonary artery forms the boundary between stations 4L and 10L (Figure 6).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Locate Landmark 4 = Station 10R
		<ol>
			<li>Locate station 10R on the lateral wall of the right main bronchus, just caudal to the inferior border of the azygos vein. The upper border is the lower border of the azygos vein. Place the endoscope in the right main bronchus or the right upper lobe bronchus and look upwards (Figure 7).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Locate Landmark 5 = The azygos vein
		<ol>
			<li>To find the azygos vein, retract the endoscope slightly cranially and turn the transducer clockwise in the trachea. Turn the transducer counterclockwise to visualize the azygos vein draining into the superior vena cava (Figure 8).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Locate Landmark 6 = Station 4R
		<ol>
			<li>To find station 4R, retract the endoscope further cranially from the azygos vein and turn the transducer clockwise in the trachea. Locate station 4R to the right or in front of the trachea above the lower border of the azygos vein, which marks the border between station 10R and 4R (Figure 9).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After having located the six landmarks, look for other lymph node stations, i.e., stations 2R, 2L, 11R, and 11L, and other structures of clinical importance. At least stations 4L, 7, and 4R should be biopsied3.</li>
	<li>When the relevant lymph node is localized, ask the assistant for the biopsy equipment. The biopsy equipment includes a sheath protecting the needle, connected to a handle that can be locked onto the endoscope. Inside the sheath is the needle, and inside the needle is the stylet. When inserting the needle into the working channel, keep the steering lever in a neutral position as shown in the video to avoid damage to the endoscope. 
	NOTE: The needle used here comes with the simulator. However, the recommended needle size for this procedure is 21 G.</li>
	<li>Adjust the sheath so it is visible at the end of the endoscope; however, no more than 1-2 mm.</li>
	<li>Turn the transducer towards the bronchial wall so the lymph node is visualized on the left side of the ultrasound picture. Now, perform the biopsy.</li>
	<li>After puncturing the lymph node with the needle, ask the assistant to remove the stylet and then apply suction to the needle by pressing the appropriate button on the screen. The needle must be moved back and forward several times.</li>
	<li>Remove the suction and retract the needle tip while inside the sheath. Ensure that the distal end of the endoscope is not flexed and remains in a neutral position to prevent damage to the endoscope. Each lymph node must be punctured at least three times10,11.</li>
	<li>After the final biopsy, check for bleeding. Inspect the place for biopsy with the white light view and stay for a few seconds. If no bleeding is observed, retract the endoscope.</li>
</ol>

Simulation-Based Training of EBUS-TBNA

<ol>
	<li>WHO. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancer.">Cancer.</a> , (2022).</li><li>Kutob, L., Schneider, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lung+cancer+staging.">Lung cancer staging.</a> Surgical Pathology Clinics. 13 (1), 57-71 (2020).</li><li>Vilmann, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combined+endobronchial+and+esophageal+endosonography+for+the+diagnosis+and+staging+of+lung+cancer:+European+Society+of+Gastrointestinal+Endoscopy+(ESGE)+Guideline,+in+cooperation+with+the+European+Respiratory+Society+(ERS)+and+the+European+Society+of+Thoracic+Surgeons+(ESTS).">Combined endobronchial and esophageal endosonography for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline, in cooperation with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS).</a> Endoscopy. 47 (6), 545-559 (2015).</li><li>Konge, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simulator+training+for+endobronchial+ultrasound:+a+randomised+controlled+trial.">Simulator training for endobronchial ultrasound: a randomised controlled trial.</a> European Respiratory Journal. 46 (4), 1140-1149 (2015).</li><li>Liam, C. K., Lee, P., Yu, C. 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S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+endobronchial+ultrasound-guided+transbronchial+needle+aspiration+in+mediastinal+staging+of+non-small+cell+lung+cancer:+how+many+aspirations+per+target+lymph+node+station.">Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer: how many aspirations per target lymph node station.</a> Chest. 134 (2), 368-374 (2008).</li><li>Kinsey, C. M., Arenberg, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endobronchial+ultrasound-guided+transbronchial+needle+aspiration+for+non-small+cell+lung+cancer+staging.">Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for non-small cell lung cancer staging.</a> American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 189 (6), 640-649 (2014).</li><li>Sanz-Santos, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systematic+compared+with+targeted+staging+with+endobronchial+ultrasound+in+patients+with+lung+cancer.">Systematic compared with targeted staging with endobronchial ultrasound in patients with lung cancer.</a> Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 106 (2), 398-403 (2018).</li><li>Crombag, L. M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systematic+and+combined+endosonographic+staging+of+lung+cancer+(SCORE+study).">Systematic and combined endosonographic staging of lung cancer (SCORE study).</a> The European Respiratory Journal. 53 (2), 1800800 (2019).</li><li>Andersen, A. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparing+for+reality:+A+randomized+trial+on+immersive+virtual+reality+for+bronchoscopy+training.">Preparing for reality: A randomized trial on immersive virtual reality for bronchoscopy training.</a> Respiration. 102 (4), 316-323 (2023).</li><li>Naur, T. M. H., Nilsson, P. M., Pietersen, P. I., Clementsen, P. 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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=British+Thoracic+Society+guideline+for+diagnostic+flexible+bronchoscopy+in+adults:+accredited+by+NICE.">British Thoracic Society guideline for diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy in adults: accredited by NICE.</a> Thorax. 68 (Suppl 1), 1-44 (2013).</li><li>Nilsson, P. M., Naur, T. M. H., Clementsen, P. F., Konge, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simulation+in+bronchoscopy:+current+and+future+perspectives.">Simulation in bronchoscopy: current and future perspectives.</a> Advances in Medical Education and Practice. 8, 755-760 (2017).</li><li>Cold, K. M., Clementsen, P. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

We hereby propose a systematic approach to the EBUS-TBNA procedure by splitting the anatomy into six landmarks to help guide the endoscopist through the bronchial maze. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to perform needle aspiration in a systematic way possible to repeat every time to standardize the procedure.
Even though the simulation-based setting is a safe environment, the endoscopist should be aware of some critical steps in the procedure. Initially, it is important to know the oblique angl...

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide with 2.21 million cases in 2020, and the most frequent cause of cancer death with 1.80 million deaths in 20201. As with most cancers, fast and accurate diagnosis of lung cancer is crucial to be able to offer the best treatment, which in cases with a localized disease with no or little spreading to mediastinal lymph nodes can be surgical removal of the tumor. In order to be able to confirm or invalidate the suspicion of malignancy and to determine the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM)-classification if lung cancer is confirmed2, it is extremely important to have good and representative biopsies from the suspected tumor or lymph nodes.
Among the invasive techniques, flexible bronchoscopy combined with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) plays a key role3. However, it is a complex technical procedure, and the success is dependent on the competence of the operator4. Anatomic orientation can easily be lost if the endoscopist does not know the anatomy of the mediastinum. Knowledge of endosonographic anatomy and its relation to the TNM lung cancer classification system is therefore crucial. In the case of lung cancer, if no tumor cells are found in any lymph node stations, the disease is classified as N0 disease and is often operable and thus, potentially curable. In the case of a right-sided lung tumor, the disease is classified as N1 disease if tumor cells are solely found in station 10R and could be operable and thus potentially curable. However, if tumor cells are found in station 4R, the disease is classified as N2 disease, and the patient can only be offered life-prolonging chemotherapy5. Three borders should therefore be remembered as they are important for treatment and prognosis.
(i)The left border of the trachea is the border between stations 4R and 4L. 
(ii)The upper border of the left pulmonary artery is the border between stations 4L and 10L. 
(iii)The lower border of the azygos vein is the border between stations 4R and 10R6.
To be qualified to perform EBUS-TBNA in the diagnostic process of possible lung cancer, it is therefore essential that EBUS-TBNA is thoroughly trained in a simulator-based setting based on a structured training curriculum before being performed on patients. Therefore, a stepwise approach relying on the six anatomical landmarks is used in the EBUS-certified training program offered by the European Respiratory Society (ERS)7.
We demonstrate the stepwise structured guide in a simulation-based setting at Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), Denmark8, on how to perform EBUS-TBNA with the EBUS endoscope relying on the six anatomical landmarks9 as a guide.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>EVIS Exera II endoscopy tower with a BF-UC180F EBUS endoscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>https://medical.olympusamerica.com/products/bf-uc180f-ebus-bronchoscope</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ENDO mentor suite</td>
			<td>Surgical Science</td>
			<td>https://simbionix.com/endo-mentor-suite/</td>
			<td>Surgical Science Simulator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GI-Bronch Mentor software</td>
			<td>Simbionix</td>
			<td>https://simbionix.com/simulators/gi-mentor/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

systematic endobronchial ultrasound - the six landmarks approach

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality globally. To ensure the correct diagnosis and staging in relation to treatment options, it is crucial to obtain valid biopsies from suspected tumors and mediastinal lymph nodes and accurate identification of the mediastinal lymph nodes regarding the Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM)-classification. Flexible bronchoscopy combined with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is essential in the workup and diagnosis of patients suspected of lung cancer. EBUS-TBNA from mediastinal lymph nodes is a technically difficult procedure and has been identified as one of the most important procedures that should be integrated into a simulation-based training program for invasive pulmonologists. More specific guidelines that govern training in EBUS-TBNA are needed to meet this demand. We hereby propose a systematic, stepwise approach with specific attention to six landmarks that support the endoscopist when navigating through the bronchial maze. The stepwise approach relying on the six landmarks is used in the EBUS-certified training program offered by the European Respiratory Society (ERS).

Author Spotlight: Demonstrating Systematic Endobronchial Ultrasound to New Endoscopists 

Systematic Endobronchial Ultrasound - The Six Landmarks Approach

We want to demonstrate a Stepwise structured guide on how to perform the EBUS procedure with the endoscope in a simulation-based setting, relying on the six anatomical landmarks approach. Training of invasive procedures in simulation-based settings has become widely increased worldwide within the field of medicine and surgery to ensure that the professionals practice in simulators before performing the invasive procedures in patients. The most important technology is that we use the EBUS endoscope in the esophagus, the so-called USB, because we know that the combination of EBUS and USB is much better than EBUS alone.Training of invasive procedures in simulation-based settings should be the golden standard. However, many professionals do not have access to these training facilities, or do not prioritize to train. So our current experimental challenge is to spread the knowledge of these simulation-based settings and facilitate training to as many as possible.

The above-mentioned structured approach to an EBUS-TBNA procedure has been taught at CAMES since 2016 as part of the EBUS-certified training program offered by the European Respiratory Society (ERS)7. The 6 landmarks approach is based on a validated assessment tool for measuring competency in EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration4. By performing EBUS-TBNA in a structured way, as shown above, no important lymph nodes will be missed, and the diagnostic accuracy will be...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Demonstrating Systematic Endobronchial Ultrasound to New Endoscopists at JoVE.com

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided sampling using transbronchial needle aspiration plays a key role in staging and diagnosing lung cancer. We propose a systematic stepwise approach dividing the procedure into six landmarks that should be taught to new operators.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality globally. To ensure the correct diagnosis and staging in relation to treatment options, it is crucial ...

systematic-endobronchial-ultrasound-the-six-landmarks-approach

Research

JoVE Journal

Cancer Research

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Sampling of Lymph Nodes Using Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

To begin, hold the endoscope in the left hand with the left thumb on the steering lever. Hold the distal end of the endoscope in the right hand. Enter the trachea through the nasal or oral cavity.Once the vocal cords are visualized, press the appropriate button on the screen to administer two milliliters of 2%lidocaine twice, and pass the vocal cords with care. Administer an additional two milliliters of 2%lidocaine into the trachea and in both the right and left main bronchus respectively. After inspecting the bronchial tree, retract the bronchoscope and change to the EBUS scope.Turn on the ultrasound transducer to locate the six anatomical EBUS landmarks. At landmark one, turn the endoscope counterclockwise in the trachea to locate station 4L, between the arch of the aorta and the left pulmonary artery. At landmark two, to locate station seven, place the scope in the right or left main bronchus and turn the endoscope facing medially.Locate station seven between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium below the carina. At landmark three, place the endoscope in the left main bronchus or the left upper lobe and direct the view upward. Locate station 10L, adjacent to the left main bronchus cranial to the left upper lobe.At landmark four, place the endoscope in the right main bronchus or the right upper lobe bronchus and direct the view upward. Locate station 10R on the lateral wall of the right main bronchus. Just coddle to the inferior border of the azygos vein.At landmark five, to find the azygos vein, retract the endoscope slightly cranially and turn the transducer clockwise in the trachea to visualize the azygos vein draining into the superior vena cava. At landmark six, to find station 4R, retract the endoscope further cranially from the azygos vein and turn the transducer clockwise in the trachea. Identify station 4R to the right or in front of the trachea above the lower border of the azygos vein, which marks the border between station 10R and 4R.Once the relevant lymph node is visualized, get the biopsy equipment from the assistant and insert the needle into the working channel, ensuring to keep the steering lever in a neutral position to avoid damage to the endoscope. Then adjust the sheath so that it is visible at the end of the endoscope. Orient the transducer towards the bronchial wall so that the lymph node is visualized on the left side of the ultrasound picture.After puncturing the lymph node with the needle, remove the stylet and press the appropriate button on the screen to apply suction to the needle. Ensure the needle moves back and forward several times. Release the suction and retract the needle tip while still inside the sheath, ensuring the distal end of the endoscope is not flexed and remains in a neutral position.After the final biopsy, using the white light view, inspect the biopsy site for bleeding. If no bleeding is observed, retract the endoscope. Data comparing targeted EBUS by PET-CT and systemic EBUS TBNA approaches are shown here.Comparison of systematic and targeted staging in 107 patients showed that systematic EBUS TBNA sampling provided additional important clinical information in 14 cases compared to targeted EBUS. Similar results were reported in another study, showing that systematic EBUS was superior to PET-CT targeted EBUS alone.

1.4K Views.  Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen.  Endobronchial ultrasound-guided sampling using transbronchial needle aspiration plays a key role in staging and diagnosing lung cancer. We propose a systematic stepwise approach dividing the procedure into six landmarks that should be taught to new operators. 

Simulation-Based Training of EBUS-TBNA

Summary