Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center successfully completed its first endobronchial ultrasound to diagnose pulmonary conditions.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- New Diagnostic Capability: Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center successfully completed its first endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedure to enhance pulmonary care.
- Minimally Invasive Benefits: The EBUS technique offers a safer, outpatient alternative to more invasive surgeries for diagnosing lung masses and lymph nodes.
- Improved Patient Outcomes: Real-time imaging and precise biopsies through EBUS allow for faster diagnosis and treatment planning for conditions like lung cancer, infections, and inflammatory diseases.
Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center announced the successful completion of its first endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedure on June 16, 2026, according to the healthcare system.
The procedure was performed by Michael Spallone, a thoracic surgeon at the Westwood, NJ-based facility. EBUS is a bronchoscopic technique that combines traditional bronchoscopy with ultrasound imaging to visualize structures within and around the airways, including lymph nodes and masses in the chest.
During the procedure, physicians guide a thin, flexible tube equipped with an ultrasound probe through the patient’s mouth and into the trachea and lungs. This allows for real-time imaging and precise needle biopsies.
“With the introduction of EBUS, we are able to provide patients with a safer, more accurate way to diagnose complex pulmonary conditions without the need for more invasive surgery,” said Michael Spallone, thoracic surgeon, in a news release. “This technology allows us to detect and stage diseases like lung cancer safely and more precisely, helping us develop the most effective treatment plans as quickly as possible.”
The medical center noted that EBUS is minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis. The technique requires little recovery time and reduces the need for more complex procedures, such as mediastinoscopy.
By lowering the risk of complications and providing accurate diagnostic information, EBUS supports early diagnosis for lung cancer, infections, and inflammatory diseases. Early detection through this technology enables faster treatment planning and improved patient outcomes, according to the healthcare facility.
