Background A new technique developed in 2002, real time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), has been one of the most important tools in lymph nodes (LNs) staging before lung cancer surgery. EBUS-TBNA was introduced into China in 2008.Methods Between June 2009 and October 2009, 30 patients with mediastinal/hilar lymphadenopathy and thoracic masses previously detected with CT scan underwent EBUS-TBNA without rapid onsite cytological examination. Results From 30 patients, 33 samples were obtained from LNs and seven samples from intrapulmonary lesions. Twenty out of the 23 lung cancer diagnoses were clarified through the procedure, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy being 87%, 100%, 100%, 70% and 90%, respectively. All three false negative cases were found in the first five procedures. Additionally, among the 33 LNs examined, three specimens that had no lymphocytes were also found within the first five procedures. There were no major complications, and the procedures were uneventful.Conclusions EBUS-TBNA seems a safe and effective technique in making diagnosis for mediastinal/hilar LNs and intrapulmonary masses. For pulmonologists experienced in bronchoscopy, the sensitivity of the procedure for diagnosing lung cancer should be no less than 90% after the initial five procedures .