Determinants of false-negative results in non-small-cell lung cancer staging by endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration

False-negative results of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in non-small-cell lung cancer staging were identified in 14% of 165 patients. Prevalence of false-negative results was low, when three satisfactory samples from mediastinal stations could be obtained and rose, when fewer adequate samples were available. Further, false-negative results were more frequent for left-sided tumors.