Usefulness of Novel Balloon‐Less Convex Probe Bronchoscope for Diagnosing and Staging of Lung Cancer via EBUS‐TBNA and EUS‐B‐FNA

TL;DR

A new balloon-less bronchoscope was tested for lung cancer diagnosis and staging, showing good performance and patient comfort.

Contribution

Reports initial clinical experience with a novel balloon-less convex probe bronchoscope for EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA.

Findings

The BLCP-EBUS bronchoscope enabled successful tissue collection and cancer diagnosis without a balloon.

Both EBUS-TBNA and EUS-B-FNA procedures were safely performed under conscious sedation with positive results.

The device showed favorable maneuverability and lesion contact, potentially improving diagnostic yield and patient comfort.

Abstract

In the winter of 2025, a novel balloon‐less convex‐probe endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope (BLCP‐EBUS) (Fujifilm EB‐710US) was introduced in Japan. It features a balloon‐less design, flexible distal tip, improved angulation, and reduced outer diameter, though clinical experience remains limited. Here we report our initial experience using the EB‐710US for EBUS‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration via the bronchus (EUS‐B‐FNA). An 86‐year‐old man with mediastinal lymphadenopathy underwent EBUS‐TBNA of a left lower paratracheal lymph node (station #4L). Adequate lesion contact and stable needle aspiration were achieved without a balloon, enabling successful tissue collection and adenocarcinoma diagnosis. A 73‐year‐old man required a re‐biopsy for a multiplex driver mutation test, and EUS‐B‐FNA of lymph node #8 was performed using a novel bronchoscope. Both procedures were safely completed under conscious sedation, with positive rapid on‐site cytology evaluation and sufficient tissue for adenocarcinoma diagnosis. The novel BLCP‐EBUS bronchoscope (EB‐710US) demonstrated favourable manoeuvrability and adequate lesion contact for both EBUS‐TBNA and EUS‐B‐FNA. The novel bronchoscope may enhance procedural safety, patient comfort, and diagnostic yield.

In the winter of 2025, a novel balloon‐less convex‐probe endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscope (BLCP‐EBUS) (Fujifilm EB‐710US) was introduced in Japan. It features a balloon‐less design, flexible distal tip, improved angulation, and reduced outer diameter, though clinical experience remains limited. Here we report our initial experience using the EB‐710US for EBUS‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration via the bronchus.

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