Table 1. Accessibility to nodal stations with different sampling techniques
MediastinoscopyEBUS-TBNAEUS-FNA
Supraclavicular zone
    1±–-–
Superior mediastinal nodes
    2R++–
    2L+++
    4R++–
    4L+++
    3a–––
    3p_±#±#
Aortic nodes
    5–––#
    6–––#
Inferior mediastinal nodes
    7+++
    8––+
    9––+
N1 nodes
    10 Hilar±+±#
    11 Interlobar–+–
    12 Lobar–+–

  • EBUS-TBNA: endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration; EUS-FNA: endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration. +: accessible; –: inaccessible; ±: may be accessible. #: casuistic reports that it is feasible.