Virtual endobronchial ultrasound for transbronchial needle aspiration

3-D virtual bronchoscopy was used to develop two modes of virtual bronchoscopic ultrasound to assist in determining the ideal location and angle for needle insertion for TBNA. The simple method required standard computation methods, the involved method required advanced computation methods, the latter was more intuitive to use. Both methods obviated the need for EBUS for identifying puncture sites for performing TBNA, and might serve as a complement for current techniques.