Four cases of pulmonary thromboembolism diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) is a technique for the detection of mediastinal abnormalities. A total of 548 EBUS procedures were performed for various indications, and in four cases (0.7%), filling defects in central pulmonary arteries were demonstrated fortuitously during the procedure. Subsequently, all patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT of the thorax to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). In three of the four cases, there was a concomitant lung cancer. PTE can be incidentally detected during EBUS; therefore, pulmonary arteries should be examined carefully during EBUS in all patients, particularly in patients with suspected or proven malignancy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:441-444, 2017.