Successful ultrathin bronchoscopy with cryobiopsy for diagnosing and removing mucus plugs in allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis mimicking lung cancer

In patients presenting with abnormal pulmonary nodules, especially those with a history of asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis should be considered. Eosinophil counts and IgE levels should be checked in such patients.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial miniforceps biopsy an urban center experience

Background

The role of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in staging mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is well established. However, evidence of its diagnostic utility in other pathologies-such as lymphoma-remains inadequate. This retrospective observational study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of EBUS-guided miniforceps biopsy (EBUS-MFB) compared to EBUS-TBNA in both malignant and nonmalignant conditions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional chart review of all adult patients referred for EBUS at our institution between January 2019 and December 2022. All patients who underwent both EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-MFB were included, with some patients also undergoing transbronchial cryobiopsy. Patients without pathology reports available were excluded.

Results

The combination of EBUS-MFB and EBUS-TBNA had the highest percentage of diagnostic results both in the overall cohort (34.4%) and in patients who did not undergo transbronchial cryobiopsy (46.2%). EBUS-MFB alone yielded more diagnostic results compared to EBUS-TBNA. Transbronchial cryobiopsy was the sampling method with the highest percentage of diagnostic results in the cryobiopsy group (64.5%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in diagnostic yield between EBUS-MFB and EBUS-TBNA (P<0.001), with EBUS-MFB showing a higher diagnostic yield overall. EBUS-MFB had a significantly higher diagnostic yield than EBUS-TBNA in benign cases, in patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, but not in malignant disease.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that combining EBUS-MFB with EBUS-TBNA can improve the diagnostic yield, particularly in benign cases and sarcoidosis. These findings support the potential superiority of adding EBUS-MFB over EBUS-TBNA alone and highlight the need for further randomized control trials to validate these results. The retrospective nature of this study and certain limitations, such as the lack of adequate longer-term follow-up, selection and operator biases, and the absence of rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) in some cases, should be considered when interpreting the results. Nonetheless, this study contributes to the growing evidence for the utility of EBUS-MFB in improving the diagnostic yield of EBUS procedures in specific clinical scenarios.

Early experience of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy: a case series from Sabah, Malaysia

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is an established minimally invasive method for the diagnosis of benign and malignant conditions. Continuous efforts are underway to improve the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the introduction of a new technique called EBUS-guided transbronchial nodal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TBNC). This method allows for the retrieval of larger and well-preserved histologic samples from the mediastinum. We present a case series of four patients who underwent combined EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC procedures in our centre. All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using a convex probe EBUS scope (Pentax EB-1970UK). Two patients were diagnosed with malignancy and two with benign disorders (silicosis and tuberculosis). In the malignant cases, both EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy provided a diagnosis but cryobiopsy yielded more material for ancillary tests in one patient. However, in the benign cases, there was discordance between EBUS-TBNA/cell block and cryobiopsy. Only cryobiopsy detected granuloma in the patient with TB (tuberculosis), and in the patient with silicosis, TBNC provided a better overall histological evaluation, leading to a definitive diagnosis. No complications were observed. This case series supports the potential diagnostic value of combining EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-TBNC, particularly in benign mediastinal lesions (granulomatous diseases), and in cases requiring additional molecular tests in cancer diagnosis.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive, safe, and well-established method for diagnosing and staging lung cancer and other conditions associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Efforts have been made to enhance the material adequacy of EBUS-TBNA, including the recent introduction of EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-TMC). This advancement facilitates the acquisition of larger and better-preserved tissue samples from the mediastinum. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and safety of EBUS-TMC in the diagnosis of malignant lesions and its effectiveness in relation to benign conditions, such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis.

Methods

We searched the PubMed® database for relevant English articles published up to July 1, 2023. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive bibliographic analysis with a particular emphasis on diagnostic yield, safety profile, and procedural technicalities.

Key Content and Findings

Our narrative review, comprising seven publications, emphasizes the significance of EBUS-TMC as an effective technique for obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions while maintaining an excellent safety profile. Furthermore, its capability for obtaining larger tissue samples facilitates molecular and immunological analysis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Conclusions

EBUS-TMC exhibits significant efficacy with regard to obtaining diagnostic tissue in malignant and benign conditions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate uncertainties regarding the selection of suitable cases and technical intricacies.

The Contribution of Mediastinal Transbronchial Nodal Cryobiopsy to Morpho-Histological and Molecular Diagnosis

(1) Background: endobronchial ultrasound-guided mediastinal transbronchial cryo-node biopsy, previously assisted by fine-needle aspiration, is a novel technique of particular interest in the field of lung cancer diagnosis and is of great utility for extrathoracic tumor metastases, lymphomas, and granulomatous diseases. An integrated histological and molecular diagnosis of small samples implies additional difficulty for the pathologist. Additionally, emerging tumor biomarkers create the need to search for new approaches to better manage the tissue sample; (2) Methods: An analytical observational study of 32 mediastinal node cryobiopsies is carried out in 27 patients (n = 27). Statistical analysis using the t-student and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired data is performed with SPSS 26 and R Statistical software. The significance level is established at p < 0.05; (3) Results: cryobiopsies were valid for diagnosis in 25 of 27 patients, with a maximum average size of 3.5 ± 0.7 mm. A total of 18 samples (66.67%) were positive for malignancy and 9 (33.33%) were benign. The tumor percentage measured in all neoplastic samples was greater than 30%. The average DNA and RNA extracted in nine non-small cell lung cancer cases was 97.2 ± 22.4 ng/µL and 26.6 ± 4.9 ng/µL, respectively; (4) Conclusions: the sample size obtained from an endobronchial ultrasound-guided mediastinal transbronchial cryo-node biopsy facilitates the morphological and histo-architectural assessment of inflammatory and neoplastic pathology. It optimizes molecular tests in the latter due to more tumor cells, DNA, and RNA.

Utility and Safety of Bronchoscopic Cryotechniques-A Comprehensive Review

Cryosurgical techniques are employed for diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and serve as important tools for the management of pulmonary diseases. The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease requires multidisciplinary team discussions after a thorough assessment of history, physical exam, computed tomography, and lung-function testing. However, histological diagnosis is required in selected patients. Surgical lung biopsy has been the gold standard but this can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is an emerging technique and multiple studies have shown that it has a high diagnostic yield with a good safety profile. There is wide procedural variability and the optimal technique for cryobiopsy is still under investigation. There is emerging data that demonstrate that cryobiopsy is safe and highly accurate in the diagnosis of thoracic malignancies. Furthermore, cryorecanalization procedures are a useful adjunct for the palliation of tumors in patients with central airway obstruction. One should keep in mind that these procedures are not free from complications and should be carried out in a specialized center by a trained and experienced bronchoscopy team. We present a review of the literature on the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of bronchoscopy-guided cryosurgical procedures and their safety profile.

Cryobiopsy: A Breakthrough Strategy for Clinical Utilization of Lung Cancer Organoids

One major challenge associated with lung cancer organoids (LCOs) is their predominant derivation from surgical specimens of patients with early-stage lung cancer. However, patients with advanced lung cancer, who are in need of chemotherapy, often cannot undergo surgery. Therefore, there is an urgent need to successfully generate LCOs from biopsy specimens. Conventional lung biopsy techniques, such as transthoracic needle biopsy and forceps biopsy, only yield small amounts of lung tissue, resulting in a low success rate for culturing LCOs from biopsy samples. Furthermore, potential complications, like bleeding and pneumothorax, make it difficult to obtain sufficient tissue. Another critical issue is the overgrowth of normal lung cells in later passages of LCO culture, and the optimal culture conditions for LCOs are yet to be determined. To address these limitations, we attempted to create LCOs from cryobiopsy specimens obtained from patients with lung cancer (n = 113). Overall, the initial success rate of establishing LCOs from cryobiopsy samples was 40.7% (n = 46). Transbronchial cryobiopsy enables the retrieval of significantly larger amounts of lung tissue than bronchoscopic forceps biopsy. Additionally, cryobiopsy can be employed for peripheral lesions, and it is aided via radial endobronchial ultrasonography. This study significantly improved the success rate of LCO culture and demonstrated that the LCOs retained characteristics that resembled the primary tumors. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed high cancer cell purity in early passages of LCOs derived from patients with advanced lung cancer. Furthermore, the three-dimensional structure and intracellular components of LCOs were characterized using three-dimensional holotomography. Finally, drug screening was performed using a specialized micropillar culture system with cryobiopsy-derived LCOs. LCOs derived from cryobiopsy specimens offer a promising solution to the critical limitations of conventional LCOs. Cryobiopsy can be applied to patients with lung cancer at all stages, including those with peripheral lesions, and can provide sufficient cells for LCO generation. Therefore, we anticipate that cryobiopsy will serve as a breakthrough strategy for the clinical application of LCOs in all stages of lung cancer.

Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy and Surgical Lung Biopsy: A Prospective Multi-Centre Agreement Clinical Trial (CAN-ICE)

Rationale: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) has shown promising results, but prospective studies with matched surgical lung biopsy (SLB) have yielded conflicting results. Objectives: We aimed to assess within- and between-center diagnostic agreement between TBCB and SLB at both the histopathologic and multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) levels in patients with diffuse ILD. Methods: In a multicenter prospective study, we performed matched TBCB and SLB in patients referred for SLB. After a blinded review by three pulmonary pathologists, all cases were reviewed by three independent ILD teams in an MDD. MDD was performed first with TBCB, then with SLB in a second session. Within-center and between-center diagnostic agreement was evaluated using percentages and correlation coefficients. Measurements and Main Results: Twenty patients were recruited and underwent contemporaneous TBCB and SLB. Within-center diagnostic agreement between TBCB-MDD and SLB-MDD was reached in 37 of the 60 (61.7%) paired observations, resulting in a Cohen's κ value of 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.63). Diagnostic agreement increased among high-confidence or definitive diagnoses on TBCB-MDD (21 of 29 [72.4%]), but not significantly, and was more likely among cases with SLB-MDD diagnoses of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (13 of 16 [81.2%] vs. 16 of 31 [51.6%]; P = 0.047). Between-center agreement for cases was markedly higher for SLB-MDD (κ = 0.71 [95% CI, 0.52-0.89]) than TBCB-MDD (κ = 0.29 [95% CI, 0.09-0.49]). Conclusions: This study demonstrated moderate TBCB-MDD and SLB-MDD diagnostic agreement for ILD, while between-center agreement was fair for TBCB-MDD and substantial for SLB-MDD. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02235779).

Historical eye on IPF: a cohort study redefining the mortality scenario

Rationale

Therapies that slow idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progression are now available and recent studies suggest that the use of antifibrotic therapy may reduce IPF mortality.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether, to what extent, and for which factors the survival of IPF in a real-life setting has changed in the last 15 years.

Methods

Historical eye is an observational study of a large cohort of consecutive IPF patients diagnosed and treated in a referral center for ILDs with prospective intention. We recruited all consecutive IPF patients seen at GB Morgagni Hospital, Forlì, Italy between January 2002 and December 2016 (15 years). We used survival analysis methods to describe and model the time to death or lung transplant and Cox regression to model prevalent and incident patient characteristics (time-dependent Cox models were fitted).

Measurements and main results

The study comprised 634 patients. The year 2012 identifies the time point of mortality shift (HR 0.58, CI 0.46-0.63, p < 0.001). In the more recent cohort, more patients had better preserved lung function, underwent cryobiopsy instead of surgery, and were treated with antifibrotics. Highly significant negative prognostic factors were lung cancer (HR 4.46, 95% CI 3.3-6, p < 0.001), hospitalizations (HR 8.37, 95% CI 6.5-10.7, p < 0.001), and acute exacerbations (HR 8.37, 95% CI 6.52-10.7, p < 0.001). The average antifibrotic treatment effect estimated using propensity score matching showed a significant effect in the reduction of all-cause mortality (ATE coeff -0.23, SE 0.04, p < 0.001), acute exacerbations (ATE coeff -0.15, SE 0.04, p < 0.001), and hospitalizations (ATE coeff -0.15, SE 0.04, p < 0.001) but no effect on lung cancer risk (ATE coeff -0.03, SE 0.03, p = 0.4).

Conclusion

Antifibrotic drugs significantly impact hospitalizations, acute exacerbations, and IPF survival. After the introduction of cryobiopsy and antifibrotic drugs, the prognosis of IPF patients has significantly improved together with our ability to detect IPF at an earlier stage.

Positron Emission-Computed Tomography, Cryobiopsy versus Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Computed Tomography Findings for Interstitial Lung Disease: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Background and Objectives: Interstitial lung diseases have always been an issue for pulmonary and rheumatology physicians. Computed tomography scans with a high-resolution protocol and bronchoalveolar lavage have been used along with biochemical blood tests to reach a diagnosis. Materials and Methods: We included 80 patients in total. First, all patients had their diagnosis with computed tomography of the thorax, serological/ immunological blood tests and bronchoalveolar lavage. However; after 3 months, all were divided into 2 groups: those who had bronchoalveolar lavage again and those who had cryobiopsy instead of bronchoalveolar lavage (40/40). Positron emission-computed tomography was also performed upon the first and second diagnosis. The patients' follow-up was 4 years from diagnosis. Results: Patients suffered most from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (56, 70%), while lung cancer was rarely encountered in the sample (7, 9.75%). Age distribution ranged between 53 and 68 years with a mean value of 60 years. The computed tomography findings revealed 25 patients with typical diagnosis (35.2%), 17 with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (23.9%) and 11 with probable diagnosis (11%). The cryobiopsy technique led to a new diagnosis in 28 patients (35% of the total sample). Patients who had a new diagnosis with cryobiopsy had a mean survival time of 710 days (<1460). Positron emission-computed tomography SUV uptake was positively associated with the cryobiopsy technique/new disease diagnosis and improved all respiratory functions. Discussion: Positron emission-computed tomography is a tool that can be used along with respiratory functions for disease evaluation. Conclusions: Cryobiopsy is a safe tool for patients with interstitial lung disease and can assist in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. The survival of patients was increased in the cryobiopsy group versus only bronchoalveolar lavage for disease diagnosis.

Advantages and drawbacks associated with the use of endosonography in sarcoidosis

INTRODUCTION

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a real-time, minimally invasive procedure for sampling intrathoracic lymph nodes. Herein, we discuss EBUS-guided procedures, their benefits, and drawbacks in diagnosing sarcoidosis.

AREAS COVERED

We first describe the utility of various endosonographic imaging techniques like B-mode, elastography, and doppler imaging. We then review the diagnostic yield and safety of EBUS-TBNA and compare it with the other available diagnostic modalities. Subsequently, we discuss the technical aspects of EBUS-TBNA influencing the diagnostic yield. Recent advances in EBUS-guided diagnostics like EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB) and EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBMC) are reviewed. Finally, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages associated with EBUS-TBNA in sarcoidosis and provide an expert opinion on the optimal use of this procedure in patients with suspected sarcoidosis.

EXPERT OPINION

EBUS-TBNA is a minimally invasive, safe procedure with a good diagnostic yield, and should be the preferred diagnostic modality for sampling intrathoracic lymph nodes in patients with suspected sarcoidosis. For optimal diagnostic yield, EBUS-TBNA should be combined with endobronchial biopsy (EBB) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). Newer endosonographic techniques like EBUS-IFB and EBMC might obviate the need for EBB and TBLB due to their superior diagnostic yield.

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumor diagnosed by transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: A case report

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors (SMARCA4-UT) have a poor prognosis and are often diagnosed at an inoperable advanced stage. Herein, we report a case of SMARCA4-UT diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial cryobiopsy (EBUS-cryo). The patient was a 42-year-old man with a history of smoking. Chest computed tomography revealed a right upper lobe nodule and an enlarged #11s lymph node. Core tissues could not be obtained by EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for diagnosis and mediastinal staging; hence, EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy (EBUS-IFB) was performed. However, a detailed diagnosis beyond poorly differentiated carcinoma could not be obtained. Subsequent EBUS-cryo provided sufficient specimens for immunohistochemical and molecular evaluation and SMARCA4-UT was definitively diagnosed. Thus, EBUS-cryo could be of additional diagnostic value for uncommon tumors, such as SMARCA4-UT, conjointly with EBUS-IFB as well as EBUS-TBNA.

Ultrathin bronchoscopic cryobiopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Ultrathin bronchoscopy aids in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions. However, both the working channel and the specimens are small. A 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe that can enter the working channel of the ultrathin bronchoscope is now available, which may overcome the limitations of small specimen size. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of ultrathin bronchoscopic cryobiopsy using an ultrathin cryoprobe for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions.

METHODS

Patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions ≤30 mm in diameter were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients underwent forceps biopsy followed by cryobiopsy using a 3.0-mm ultrathin bronchoscope under radial probe endobronchial ultrasound guidance, virtual bronchoscopic navigation and fluoroscopic guidance. The primary endpoint was the feasibility of cryobiopsy.

RESULTS

In total, 50 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions were enrolled in the study; the median longest diameter on computed tomography was 17.9 mm. Cryobiopsy was performed successfully in 49 patients (98%). Forceps biopsy, cryobiopsy and the combination of these two methods provided a specific diagnosis in 54% (27/50), 62% (31/50) and 74% (37/50) of patients, respectively. The median size of specimens obtained via cryobiopsy was significantly larger than the median size obtained via forceps biopsy (7.0 vs. 1.3 mm² , respectively, p < 0.001). Mild bleeding during cryobiopsy occurred in 47 patients (94%). No moderate/severe bleeding or pneumothorax occurred.

CONCLUSION

Ultrathin bronchoscopic cryobiopsy is feasible, effective and sufficiently safe for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Esophageal submucosal tumor diagnosed with EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy: A case report

Cryobiopsy is advantageous for collecting larger specimens with minimum crushing compared to forceps biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), but it has not been widely used for mediastinal tumors. In this report, a leiomyoma of the thoracic esophagus was diagnosed with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-cryo). An asymptomatic 49-year-old woman had a 2.6-cm sized submucosal tumor (SMT) of the esophagus adjacent to the trachea and left main bronchus. EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-guided intranodal forceps biopsy were performed, followed by EBUS-cryo. The biopsy forceps could not be inserted into the tumor, but the cryoprobe was smoothly inserted. EBUS-TBNA could not obtain enough spindle-shaped tumor cells for immunohistochemical staining, but EBUS-cryo provided sufficient specimens for diagnosing the leiomyoma. Adding EBUS-cryo to EBUS-TBNA has recently been reported to achieve high diagnostic yields for lymphomas, uncommon tumors, and benign diseases. EBUS-cryo seems a valid diagnostic option for esophageal SMTs that are difficult to diagnose with needles and forceps.

A case of a thoracic mass negative on thoracentesis diagnosed by cryobiopsy from the visceral pleura

Thoracoscopy under local anaesthesia is recommended for malignant tumours with negative pleural effusion cytology. Cryobiopsy from the visceral pleura by thoracoscopy under local anaesthesia can provide more diagnostic options for patients with thoracentesis‐negative malignant effusions. Here we present the first case in which this technique was used. The patient had a pleural metastasis that could not be diagnosed even with rapid cytology of the parietal pleura biopsy. Indications, technical pitfalls, and safety tips are discussed.

Clinical Utility of Rapid On-Site Evaluation of Touch Imprint Cytology during Cryobiopsy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions

Simple Summary

With increasing interest in precision medicine for lung cancer, cryobiopsy is expected to improve the success rate not only for histological diagnosis, but also for next-generation sequencing. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is an immediate cytological evaluation performed during bronchoscopy. However, little is known about its clinical utility during cryobiopsy. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 63 consecutive patients who underwent cryobiopsy with ROSE of touch imprint cytology (ROSE-TIC) for solid peripheral pulmonary lesions. When the results of ROSE-TIC of each patient were compared directly with the histological findings of the corresponding specimen, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 69.8%, 90.0%, 93.8%, and 58.1%, respectively. The concordance rate was 76.2%. Therefore, we believe that ROSE-TIC, due to its high specificity and positive predictive value, may be a potential tool in deciding whether cryobiopsy sampling could be finished during bronchoscopy.

Abstract

Cryobiopsy enables us to obtain larger specimens than conventional forceps biopsy despite the caution regarding complications. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of rapid on-site evaluation of touch imprint cytology (ROSE-TIC) during cryobiopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). We retrospectively reviewed the data of consecutive patients who underwent cryobiopsy for solid PPLs between June 2020 and December 2021. ROSE-TIC was performed on the first specimen obtained via cryobiopsy and assessed using Diff-Quik staining. The results of ROSE-TIC for each patient were compared with the histological findings of the first cryobiopsy specimen. Sixty-three patients were enrolled in this study. Overall, 57 (90.5%) lesions were ≤30 mm in size and 37 (58.7%) had positive bronchus signs. The radial endobronchial ultrasound findings were located within and adjacent to the lesion in 46.0% and 54.0% of the cases, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the ROSE results for histological findings of the corresponding specimens were 69.8%, 90.0%, 93.8%, and 58.1%, respectively. The concordance rate was 76.2%. In conclusion, ROSE-TIC, due to its high specificity and positive predictive value, may be a potential tool in deciding whether cryobiopsy sampling could be finished during bronchoscopy.

Applications of cryobiopsy in airway, pleural, and parenchymal disease

INTRODUCTION

:Cryobiopsy is a novel diagnostic technique for thoracic diseases which has been extensively investigated over the past 20 years. It was originally proposed for the diagnosis of endobronchial lesions and diffuse parenchymal lung disease due to limitations of conventional sampling techniques including small size and presence of artifacts.

AREAS COVERED

:We will review recent evidence related to the expanding use of cryobiopsy in thoracic diseases. To identify references, the MEDLINE database was searched from database inception until May 2022 for case series, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to cryobiopsy.

EXPERT OPINION

Cryobiopsy has expanding applications in the field of thoracic diseases. Evidence to support transbronchial cryobiopsy as an alternative to surgical lung biopsy is increasing and was recently endorsed as a conditional recommendation by the latest American Thoracic Society guideline update for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Developments in technology and technique, in particular the availability of a 1.1 mm flexible cryoprobe, have extended applications to pulmonary diseases, including diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases, peripheral pulmonary lesions, and lung transplant rejection.

Cryotherapy in the paediatric airway: Indications, success and safety

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cryotherapy in interventional bronchoscopy is a new treatment modality, which has recently been made available for the paediatric airway. Lack of experience and safety concerns have led to hesitant adaptation. The aim of this study was to assess indications, success rates and complications of airway cryotherapy in children.

METHODS

Bronchoscopists from medical centre performing cryotherapy in patients between 0 and 18 years were invited to participate in a prospective study based on an online questionnaire. Patient and participant data were collected between June 2020 and June 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 69 cryotherapy procedures were performed in 57 patients a for three main indications: Biopsy (30), restoration of airway patency (23) and foreign body aspiration (16). The overall success rate was 93%, the remaining 7% were performed for foreign body removal and required a switch of technique. Restoration of airway patency was successfully applied in various pathologies, including mucus plugs, bronchial casts and post traumatic stenosis. The diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsies was 96%. No severe complications were encountered; one pneumothorax following a cryobiopsy required a chest drain for 48 h. No child was admitted to intensive care or died from a procedural complication.

CONCLUSION

In this largest paediatric case collection to date, cryotherapy was safe and carried a high success rate. Cryobiopsy compares favourably to the widely used forceps biopsy and could replace it in the future. Paediatric bronchoscopists are encouraged to add cryotherapy to their armamentarium of airway interventions.

Precut technique using an injection needle: A retrospective study on a new ancillary procedure for pleural biopsy

The effectiveness of thoracoscopic biopsy as a diagnostic method for pleural diseases has been reported; however, obtaining a sufficient specimen size is sometimes difficult. Therefore, an ancillary technique, the precut technique using an injection needle, was devised to address this problem. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the novel precut technique in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion. This retrospective study included 22 patients who underwent pleural biopsy using the precut technique to examine exudative pleural effusion of unknown etiology. Thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia. The biopsy procedure was performed as follows: a needle was inserted into the pleura around the lesion using a semiflexible thoracoscope; the needle was positioned to make an incision in the pleura while injecting 1% lidocaine with epinephrine and lifting the pleura from the fascia; 2 or 3 precut incision lines were arranged in a triangle; and the specimen was obtained from the parietal pleura using forceps or a cryoprobe. Patient data including age, number of biopsies, biopsy specimen size, pathological and final diagnosis, and postoperative complications were examined. All patients were male with an average age of 74 years. Pleural effusion was found on the right and left sides in 16 and 6 patients, respectively. The average major axis of the biopsy specimens was 18 mm (range, 10-30 mm), which was sufficient to establish a pathological diagnosis. Only 1 patient experienced minor temporal bleeding as a complication. The precut technique enabled the procurement of specimens sufficient in size for pleural biopsy.

Transbronchial Cryobiopsy Compared to Forceps Biopsy for Diagnosis of Acute Cellular Rejection in Lung Transplants: Analysis of 63 Consecutive Procedures

Background: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is a complication after lung transplantation (LTx). The diagnosis of ACR is based on histologic findings using transbronchial forceps biopsy (FB). However, its diagnostic accuracy is limited because of the small biopsy size and crush artifacts. Transbronchial cryobiopsy (CB) provides a larger tissue size compared with FB. Methods: FB and CB were obtained consecutively during the same bronchoscopy (February 2020–April 2021). All biopsies were scored according to the ISHLT criteria by three pathologists. Interobserver agreement was scored by the kappa index. We assessed the severity of bleeding and the presence of pneumothorax. Results: In total, 35 lung transplant recipients were included, and 126 CBs and 315 FBs were performed in 63 consecutive bronchoscopies. ACR (A1–A3, minimal–moderate) was detected in 18 cases (28.6%) by CB, whereas ACR was detected in 3 cases (4.8%) by FB. Moderate and severe bleeding complicated FB and CB procedures in 23 cases (36.5%) and 1 case (1.6%), respectively. Pneumothorax occurred in 6.3% of patients. The interobserver agreement was comparable for both CB and FB. Conclusions: CB provided an improved diagnostic yield for ACR diagnosis, leading to reclassification and changes in treatment strategies in 28.6% of cases. Prospective studies should better define the role of CB after LTx.

Radial-EBUS: CryoBiopsy Versus Conventional Biopsy: Time-Sample and C-Arm

Introduction: Diagnosis of lung nodules is still under investigation. We use computed tomography scans and positron emission tomography in order to identify their origin. Patients and Methods: In our retrospective study, we included 248 patients with a single lung nodule or multiple lung nodules of size ≥1 cm. We used a radial-endobronchial ultrasound and a C-Arm. We used a 1.1 mm cryoprobe versus a 22G needle vs. forceps/brush. We compared the sample size of each biopsy method with the number of cell-block slices. Results: Central lesions indifferent to the method provided the same mean number of cell-block slices (0.04933–0.02410). Cryobiopsies provide less sample size for peripheral lesions due to the higher incidence of pneumothorax (0.04700–0.02296). Conclusion: The larger the lesion ≥2 cm, and central, more cell-blocks are produced indifferent to the biopsy method (0.13386–0.02939). The time of the procedure was observed to be less when the C-Arm was used as an additional navigation tool (0.14854–0.00089).

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma with diffuse ground glass lesion on chest computed tomography diagnosed using transbronchial lung cryobiopsy: a case report

A 68-year-old man was presented with high fever of unknown origin for 3 weeks and non-productive cough for 1 week. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple nodules and ground glass opacities (GGO) in both lungs. The patient was initially diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis based on the result of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). After treatment with methylprednisolone for 2 weeks, the patient’s fever recurred, with no resolution of lesions on chest CT. The patient consented to positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. It showed that fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) metabolism was significantly increased in the spleen, whole skeleton, and both lungs, suggesting a malignant hematological disease. Large B-cell lymphoma was diagnosed by bone marrow puncture and flow cytometry. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was performed to evaluate the diffuse lung lesion. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed diffuse infiltration of heterotypic cells in the pulmonary interstitial capillaries. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examination results suggested lung infiltration of B lymphohematopoietic system tumors. The patient was finally diagnosed as intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL). IVLBCL with diffuse lung ground glass lesions is very rare and difficult to diagnose. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy, as an emerging procedure, plays an important role in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease and has gained popularity for a lower complication rate and acquisition of more tissue samples.

Cryobiopsy for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia secondary to adult T-cell lymphoma/leukaemia

A 79-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of progressively worsening dyspnoea on exertion. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral consolidation. On laboratory findings, the line blot assay for human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 was positive, the white blood cell count was 33,000/μl (atypical lymphocytes 8500/μl, 26% of the total white blood cell count) and β-d-glucan was increased to 391.1 pg/ml. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, there was a small number of atypical lymphocytes, and the polymerase chain reaction for Pneumocystis jirovecii was positive. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and corticosteroid were administered, but the lung shadows remained. Adult T-cell lymphoma/leukaemia (ATLL) cell infiltration was suspected, and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was performed, which showed no infiltration of lymphoma cells into the lung. The lung shadow showed an improving trend on chest CT. She was diagnosed with chronic type ATLL and discharged without chemotherapy.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy: prospective safety evaluation and 90-day mortality after a standardized examination protocol

BACKGROUND

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a new method of bronchoscopic tissue sampling in patients with unclear diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD). While not the gold standard, TBLC has a good diagnostic correlation with surgical lung biopsy, and retrospective analyses of peri-interventional complications and mortality are promising. However, prospective reports on 90-day mortality are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study addresses morbidity and 30- and 90-day mortality in TBLC after a standardized protocol.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 75 patients with DPLD requiring tissue sampling were included. A standardized protocol (including prophylactic use of an endobronchial balloon, postinterventional observation, and minimum sampling requirements) was used in all patients. Adverse events (pneumothorax, bronchial bleeding, premature discontinuation, prolonged monitoring at ICU, and fatal outcome) and 30- and 90-day mortality rates were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 308 cryobiopsies were performed in 75 patients. Peri- and postinterventional pneumothorax were observed in 20% (9.3% mild and 10.7% moderate with the necessity of chest drainage), and bronchial bleeding was found in 29.3% (22.7% moderate and 6.7% severe). Total lung capacity below normal value was associated with the risk of pneumothorax (p = 0.009), and diffusion limitation for carbon monoxide below normal value was associated with the risk of bronchial bleeding (p = 0.044). No fatal events were observed within 30 days, and the 90-day mortality rate was 1.3%, but not related to the procedure itself.

CONCLUSION

As it gradually becomes the invasive procedure of choice in unclear DPLD, TBLC is a safe procedure with a low 30- and 90-day mortality.Trial registration ID: DRKS00026746 (German Clinical Trial Register).

Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Compared to Transbronchial Forceps Biopsy in Patients with Sarcoidosis in a Prospective, Randomized, Multicentre Cross-Over Trial

Background: Transbronchial lung forceps biopsy (TBLF) is of limited value for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, in cases with predominantly peribronchial pathology, such as sarcoidosis, TBLF is considered to be diagnostic in most cases. The present study examines whether transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is superior to TBLF in terms of diagnostic yield in cases of sarcoidosis. Methods: In this post hoc analysis of a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre study, 359 patients with ILD requiring diagnostic bronchoscopic tissue sampling were included. TBLF and TBLC were both used for each patient in a randomized order. Histological assessment was undertaken on each biopsy and determined whether sarcoid was a consideration. Results: A histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established in 17 of 272 cases for which histopathology was available. In 6 out of 17 patients, compatible findings were seen with both TBLC and TBLF. In 10 patients, where the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed by TBLC, TBLF did not provide a diagnosis. In one patient, TBLF but not TBLC confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Conclusions: In this post hoc analysis, the histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made significantly more often by TBLC than by TBLF. As in other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), the use of TBLC should be considered when sarcoidosis is suspected.

PD-L1 Expression in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common and severe form within the group of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. It is characterized by repetitive alveolar injury in genetically susceptible individuals and abnormal wound healing, leading to dysregulated bronchiolar proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, causing complete architectural distortion and fibrosis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is considered an important pathogenic event, a phenomenon also observed in various malignant neoplasms, in which tumor cells express programmed death-ligand one (PD-L1). The aim of this study was to assess the presence of PD-L1 in patients with IPF and other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Method: Patients with a clinically and radiologically suspected idiopathic interstitial pneumonia or other ILDs undergoing transbronchial cryobiopsy to confirm the diagnosis at the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, were included in this prospective observational study. Cellular membrane PD-L1 expression in epithelial cells was determined using the DAKO PD-L1 IHC 22C3 PharmDx Kit. Results: Membrane-bound PD-L1 (mPD-L1) was found in twelve (28%) of the forty-three patients with IPF and in five (9%) of the fifty-five patients with other ILDs (p = 0.015). When adjusting for age, gender and smoking status, the odds ratio of having IPF when expressing mPD-L1 in alveolar and/or bronchiolar epithelial cells was 4.3 (CI: 1.3–14.3). Conclusion: Expression of mPD-L1 in epithelial cells in the lung parenchymal zones was detected in a consistent subgroup of patients with IPF compared to other interstitial pneumonias. Larger studies are needed to explore the role of mPD-L1 in patients with IPF.

Anti-MDA5 antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis with diffuse alveolar damage diagnosed by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy: A case report

Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is known to be a pathological hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome or acute interstitial pneumonia, and to have a poor prognosis. We report a case of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD), in which DAD was confirmed by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy at an early stage without respiratory failure. Although this patient initially did not show respiratory failure, his respiratory condition gradually worsened despite intensive immunosuppression therapy and he died 3 months later. Therefore, the early pathological findings of DAD did not match the clinical picture, which showed no respiratory failure. However, these findings were consistent with the subsequent course and poor outcome. Histological DAD, even in the absence of respiratory failure, may indicate a subsequent poor prognosis and explain the refractory course of RP-ILD with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive CADM.

Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy in children

BACKGROUND

Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a novel technique, available globally only in a limited number of centers. Since the data on the role of TBLCs amongst pediatric patients is limited, the aim was to evaluate its efficacy in diagnosing lung diseases amongst children.

METHODS

The records of 28 pediatric patients were retrospectively reviewed from October 2016 till September 2018. The participants' demographic information, procedural indications, sample adequacy, diagnostic utility, and the complications associated with this type of bronchoscopy apparatus were further assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight pediatric patients aged 22 months to 17 years underwent TBLC. From the 73 obtained biopsies, 97% had an adequate sampling size. The diagnostic yield of this method was 92.8%. The most common complication was mild bleeding. Transient hypoxemia and bronchospasm were observed in eleven and eight patients, respectively. Furthermore, most of them (78.6%) had uneventful post-procedure and recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

TBLC was a relatively safe and effective method with high accuracy and fewer complications in diagnosing and monitoring lung diseases in the selected children. However, more extensive multicentre trials are warranted to corroborate the potential benefits of this novel technique.

Lung Cryobiopsy Outside of the Operating Room: A Safe Alternative to Surgical Biopsy

Objective

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a promising technique that can provide a histologic diagnosis in interstitial lung diseases (ILD) and is an alternative to surgical lung biopsy. The main concerns with the procedure are safety and diagnostic accuracy. The technique is applicable in patients unable to undergo surgical biopsy due to severe comorbidities or when patient transport to the operating room is dangerous. This study reports the initial experience with TBLC on a thoracic surgical service as a first attempt at diagnosis in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD).

Methods

Between May 2018 and July 2020, 32 patients underwent TBLC using bedside flexible bronchoscopy for suspected ILD on a thoracic surgical endoscopy service. Retrospective evaluation of the procedure details, complications, and diagnostic yield were analyzed and reported.

Results

A total of 89 pathological samples were obtained (mean 2.8 per patient). Pneumothorax and minor bleeding occurred in 25% and 16.7% of patients, respectively. Sixty-seven percent of complications occurred with use of the 2.4 mm cryoprobe (P = 0.036). Concordance between the histologic diagnosis and final clinical diagnosis was observed in 62.5% of patients and the pathology guided the final treatment in 71% (P = 0.027) with Kappa-concordance of 0.60 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cryobiopsy is becoming part of the diagnostic evaluation in patients with indeterminate DPLD or hypoxemic respiratory failure. TBLC is easy to perform and has a favorable safety profile. Thoracic specialists should consider adding TBLC to their procedural armamentarium as a first option for patients with indeterminate PLD.

Transbronchial Biopsy and Cryobiopsy in the Diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis among Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease

Rationale: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) with a diagnosis based on clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. The evidence supporting transbronchial forceps lung biopsy (TBBx) and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) as sampling techniques to diagnose HP in patients with newly detected ILD has not been reviewed systematically.Objectives: A systematic review was performed to assess the diagnostic yield and complication rates of TBBx or TBLC in patients with newly detected ILD whose differential diagnosis includes HP and to inform the development of the American Thoracic Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Asociación Latinoamericana del Tórax clinical practice guidelines on the diagnosis of HP.Methods: Medline, Excerpta Medica Database, and the Cochrane Library were searched through October 2019. Studies that enrolled patients with ILD and reported the diagnostic yield of TBBx or TBLC were selected for inclusion. Data related to diagnostic yield and safety outcomes were extracted and then pooled across studies via meta-analysis. The quality of the evidence was appraised using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach.Results: The histopathologic diagnostic yields (number of procedures that yielded a histopathologic diagnosis divided by the total number of procedures performed) of TBBx and TBLC were 37% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32-42%) and 82% (95% CI, 78-86%), respectively, among patients with ILD. Among those diagnosed by TBBx, the proportion with HP could not be determined. However, among those diagnosed by TBLC, 13.4% had HP. TBBx was complicated by moderate to severe bleeding, severe bleeding, and pneumothorax in 4% (95% CI, 0-8%), 0% (95% CI, 0-1%), and 7% (95% CI, 2-13%) of patients, respectively. TBLC was complicated by any bleeding, severe bleeding, and pneumothorax in 11% (95% CI, 7-15%), 0% (95% CI, 0-1%), and 11% (95% CI, 9-14%) of patients, respectively. The quality of the evidence was very low because of the uncontrolled study designs, lack of consecutive enrollment, and inconsistent results.Conclusions: Very low-quality evidence indicated that TBLC had a higher diagnostic yield than TBBx among patients with ILD, although complications were similar.

Combination of the Archimedes Navigation System and cryobiopsy in diagnosis of diffuse lung disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of the Archimedes Navigation System (Broncus Medical, San Jose, CA, USA) for guidance during transbronchial cryobiopsy and the incidence of complications in patients with diffuse lung disease.

METHODS

High-resolution computed tomography and transbronchial cryobiopsy were used to evaluate eight patients with diffuse lung disease. The Archimedes Navigation System was used before cryobiopsy to obtain the best path with which to avoid large vessels. Three to five cryobiopsy specimens were taken from each sampled segment.

RESULTS

Preoperative planning using the Archimedes Navigation System was successfully performed on all eight patients. The probe-to-pleura distance was approximately 10 mm. No cases of pneumothorax occurred, one patient developed moderate bleeding, two developed minor bleeding, and five developed minimal bleeding that stopped spontaneously. A final diagnosis was obtained for seven patients, and ongoing follow-up was being conducted for the last patient at the time of this writing.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of combining navigation technology with cryobiopsy to diagnose diffuse lung disease. The Archimedes Navigation System, which provides real-time guidance, is helpful in pre-cryobiopsy planning and diagnosis of diffuse lung disease. Moreover, this system can reduce the pneumothorax rate and bleeding risk by avoiding large vessels.

Antidiarrheal pill in the airway

Pill aspiration depicts an unusual type of foreign body aspiration necessitating a discrete diagnostic and therapeutic approach.1 Some pills may remain intact in the endobronchial tree for many years without causing much harm, whereas others may dissolve2 The clinical outcomes may also vary, from an asymptomatic granuloma to severe, life-threatening airway complications, depending upon the chemical properties of the pill. We report a compelling case of pill aspiration in a healthy patient.

The Application of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy and Uniportal and Tubeless Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery in the Multidisciplinary Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung disease-A Real-World Prospective Study

The application of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and uniportal and tubeless video-assisted thoracic surgery (UT-VATS) in the multidisciplinary diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not been demonstrated in real-world clinical practice. This prospective study included 137 patients with no definitive diagnosis who were the subject of two multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) sessions. As indicated in the first MDD, 67 patients underwent UT-VATS and 70 underwent TBLC. The specificity of biopsy information and its contribution to final MDD diagnosis were evaluated in the second MDD. The post-operative complications and hospitalization costs associated with the two biopsy methods were compared. UT-VATS was favored for patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD)/desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) and undefined idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (UIIP), while TBLC was preferred for pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). The spirometry parameters were better in patients who underwent UT-VATS than those who underwent TBLC. UT-VATS provided more specific pathological results than TBLC (85.7 vs 73.7%, p = 0.06). In patients initially diagnosed with UIIP, pathological information from UT-VATS was more clinically useful than that obtained from TBLC, although both tests contributed similarly to cases initially diagnosed as interstitial pneumonia with auto-immune features (IPAF)/connective tissue disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD). The safety of UT-VATS was comparable with TBLC although TBLC was cheaper during hospitalization (US$4,855.7 vs US$3,590.9, p < 0.001). multidisciplinary discussion decisions about biopsies were driven by current knowledge of sampling and diagnosis capacity as well as potential risks of different biopsy methods. The current MDD considered UT-VATS more informative than TBLC in cases initially diagnosed as UIIP although they were equally valuable in patients initially diagnosed with IPAF/CTD-ILD.

The LungVision navigational platform for peripheral lung nodule biopsy and the added value of cryobiopsy

BACKGROUND

The LungVision system is a novel augmented-fluoroscopy-based real-time navigation and guidance technology for bronchoscopy that can be integrated with any standard biopsy tool, including the cryoprobe, to enable real-time visualization and localization of pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety among patients undergoing peripheral pulmonary nodule biopsy with the LungVision system.

METHODS

This prospective, single-center study was conducted at Rabin Medical Center in Israel. All patients that underwent peripheral pulmonary nodule biopsy with the LungVision system from January 2016 to August 2020 were included. All procedures were performed under moderate sedation. The primary outcome was tissue diagnosis by either identification of malignant cells or benign diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were safety and the added value of cryobiopsy.

RESULTS

Sixty-three procedures were performed during the study period. Median lesion size (interquartile range) was 25.0 mm (18-28 mm). The diagnostic yield overall was 27/33 (81.8%) and for lesions smaller than 20 mm was 13/18 (72.2%). In nine cases the transbronchial cryobiopsy showed tissue with malignant cells that were not found in any other biopsy material taken with other sampling tools. One patient was treated with a chest tube for a pneumothorax. No other major complications were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The LungVision system showed good feasibility and safety for peripheral pulmonary nodule biopsy. The system is compatible with all biopsy tools, including the cryoprobe. Randomized controlled trials are needed to accurately ascertain its diagnostic yield.

Diagnostic Outcomes and Safety of Cryobiopsy Added to Conventional Sampling Methods: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Cryobiopsy enables specialists to perform high-quality, large, entirely circumferential biopsies; therefore, it may improve the diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), as has been previously observed regarding endobronchial tumors and interstitial lung diseases.

RESEARCH QUESTION

How do the diagnostic accuracy and safety change by cryobiopsy when performed alongside conventional biopsy for PPLs?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent cryobiopsy in addition to conventional biopsies for PPL diagnosis at our institution between June 2017 and May 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The target location was estimated and sampling was performed using conventional devices (ie, forceps, brush, aspiration needle), and cryobiopsy was performed at the same location. Diagnostic outcomes and cryobiopsy safety when performed in addition to conventional sampling methods were analyzed in this observational study.

RESULTS

In total, 257 patients were analyzed, and the overall diagnostic yield was 89.9%. Among them, 22 lesions were diagnosable by cryobiopsy exclusively, which improved the rate of diagnosis by 8.6%. Advantages of the use of cryobiopsy were the most apparent when lesions were adjacent to areas assessed via radial endobronchial ultrasound (69.4% vs 84.3%). Multivariable analysis identified bronchus sign (positive/negative, P = .001), lobe (other lobes/right upper lobe and left upper segment, P = .028), and visibility on radiograph (visible/invisible, P = .047) as factors that significantly affected diagnostic yield. On the other hand, three instances of severe hemorrhage (1.2%) and two of pneumothorax (0.8%) occurred. Although most complications were minor, two patients required hospitalization because of cerebral infarction and lung abscess.

INTERPRETATION

Cryobiopsy improves the diagnostic yield of PPLs when combined with other conventional sampling methods; however, caution is required because of the possibility of complications.

Safety and Performance of Transbronchial Cryobiopsy for Parenchymal Lung Lesions

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in technology, the bronchoscopic diagnosis of parenchymal pulmonary lesions (PPLs) remains difficult to achieve. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TLCB) offers the potential for larger samples with improved diagnostic yield; however, a paucity of data exists describing its safety and usefulness for the diagnosis of PPL.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the safety profile of TLCB for PPL?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

An observational, retrospective, multicenter cohort study enrolled patients without endobronchial disease undergoing TLCB of PPL from 2015 through 2019. All procedures were performed using both rigid and flexible bronchoscopy with a flexible cryoprobe. Complication rates, including bleeding and pneumothorax rates, were collected. Bleeding was graded on a scale from 0 (trace) to 4 (requiring surgical intervention) with a grade of ≥ 3 considered clinically significant. Pneumothorax, tube thoracostomy placement, diagnostic yield, and need for subsequent interventions were recorded.

RESULTS

One thousand twenty-four patients underwent TLCB. One hundred eighty-eight patients (18%) experienced bleeding; in 36 patients (3.5%), the bleeding was clinically significant. Sixty-eight patients (6.6%) demonstrated a pneumothorax and 64 patients (6.3%) required drainage with tube thoracostomy. All chest drains were removed within 4 days, and no cases of prolonged air leak occurred. A definitive diagnosis was achieved in 932 patients (91%). Adenocarcinoma (46%) and metastatic disease (21%) were the most common diagnoses.

INTERPRETATION

TLCB showed an acceptable safety profile and diagnostic yield for the evaluation of PPL in this large retrospective cohort. Prospective clinical trials are underway to validate these findings further.

Integration of cryobiopsies for interstitial lung disease diagnosis is a valid and safe diagnostic strategy-experiences based on 250 biopsy procedures

Background

Transbronchial cryobiopsies has become increasingly used in the diagnostic workup in patients suspected of having interstitial lung disease. The procedure is associated with less complications, morbidity and mortality compared to surgical lung biopsies although with a diagnostic yield that is not as high, but close to that of surgical lung biopsies. The aim of the present study was to describe the complications and diagnostic yield and their prognostic factors.

Methods

All patients undergoing transbronchial cryobiopsies at the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, were included in this prospective observational cohort study.

Results

A total of 250 patients were included [61% male, mean age 66 years (range, 22–81 years)]. Pneumothorax was detected in 70 (28%) of the patients, moderate hemorrhage in 53 (21%) and severe hemorrhage in 2 (1%) of the patients. Hemorrhage was associated with central biopsies, but not with anticoagulant therapy. None of the complications were related to lung function, exercise capacity, biopsy or probe size. Only one patient experienced an acute exacerbation. Three-month mortality was 0.4% (1 patient), caused by cancer and unrelated to the procedure. Cryobiopsies contributed to the final diagnosis in 72% of the patients and after multidisciplinary team discussion, a consensus diagnosis was obtained in 82% of the patients. The gender, the total sum of biopsy sizes, number of biopsies and presence of more than 50% alveolar tissue in biopsies increased the diagnostic yield.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that using cryobiopsies in the diagnostic setup for interstitial lung diseases is safe with a limited risk of acute exacerbations and mortality. Cryobiopsies contribute to the diagnosis in the majority of patients.

Feasibility study of cryobiopsy for practical pathological diagnosis of primary lung cancer including immunohistochemical assessment

BACKGROUND

Precision medicine in non-small cell lung cancer requires attainment of a sufficient amount of high-quality tumor tissue. Transbronchial cryobiopsy has emerged as a new diagnostic method for non-neoplastic lung disease with a better potential to assess morphology compared with conventional methods. However, the influence of cryobiopsy on specimen quality, particularly detection of protein expression, is unknown. We performed a comparative immunohistochemical study in specimens obtained by cryobiopsy versus conventional sampling to evaluate the feasibility of cryobiopsy for lung cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Pairs of artificial biopsy specimens, collected using a cryoprobe or conventional scalpel, were obtained from 43 surgically resected primary lung tumors. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were prepared in an ISO15189-certified laboratory. Immunohistochemical staining of thyroid transcription factor-1, p40, Ki67 and programmed death-ligand 1 (22C3) was performed. The H-scores for thyroid transcription factor-1 and p40, labeling index for Ki67 and tumor proportion score for programmed death-ligand 1 were assessed. Pearson's correlation coefficients between two sampling types were calculated.

RESULTS

The thyroid transcription factor-1 and p40 H-scores showed perfect correlations between the cryobiopsy and conventional scalpel-obtained specimens (R2 = 0.977 and 0.996, respectively). Ki67 labeling index and PD-L1 tumor proportion score also showed strong correlations between the two sample types (R2 = 0.896 and 0.851, respectively). Five cases (11.6%) exhibited differences in tumor proportion score category between sample types, potentially because of intratumoral heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunohistochemical expression of certain tumor markers showed a high concordance between cryobiopsy and conventional scalpel sampling. Cryobiopsy is feasible for pathological diagnostics including PD-L1 evaluation.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy guided by radial mini-probe endobronchial ultrasound in interstitial lung diseases - a multicenter prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is commonly used in diagnosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Ageneral anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, balloon blockers and fluoroscopy control is the most common modality. Simplifying the procedure without decreasing it's safety could result in wider use. Prospective, observational study was conducted in three Polish pulmonology centers to evaluate safety and diagnostic yield of TBLC under conscious sedation, without intubation and bronchial blockers and with radial-EBUS guidance instead of fluoroscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In patients suspected of ILD, in accordance with high resolution computer tomography (HRCT) selected lung segments were examined with radial-EBUS mini probe without aguide sheath. If the lung infiltrations were visible this locations were preferred. If not, specimens were taken from two different segments of the same lobe. Two to five biopsies with freezing time 5-8 seconds were performed. Moreover ultrasound examination was used to avoid injury of lung vessels.

RESULTS

From March 2017 to September 2019 - 114 patients (M: 59, F: 55) of mean (SD) age 54 (14) years were included to the study on the basis of medical history and HRCT. Histopathology was conclusive in 90 (79%) patients and included 16 different diagnoses (sarcoidosis, EAA, COP predominantly). 24 inconclusive biopsies of unclassifiable pulmonary fibrosis were followed up. Complications included five cases (4.4%) of pneumothorax requiring achest tube drainage and aminor and moderate bleeding in few cases. There was no need for use of balloon bronchial blockers.

CONCLUSIONS

TBLC under conscious sedation guided by radial EBUS mini-probe is novel, reasonable and safe technique for histological diagnosis of ILDs.

Transbronchial Cryobiopsy for Miliary Tuberculosis Mimicking Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Miliary tuberculosis is a potentially lethal type of tuberculosis that results from the hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli. We herein describe the case of a 34-year-old man that presented with a one-month history of cough and fever, while his sputum smear results were negative. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral centrilobular ground-glass opacification (GGO), suggestive of hypersensitivity pneumonitis; thus, bronchoscopy was performed. Cryobiopsy specimens revealed necrotic granulomas. A re-examination of sputum after bronchoscopy identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and miliary tuberculosis was diagnosed. A cryobiopsy might be useful for diagnosing miliary tuberculosis pathologically, particularly when miliary nodules may be masked by GGO.

Comparison of adequacy between transbronchial lung cryobiopsy samples and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration samples for next-generation sequencing analysis

Background

Most lung cancer patients present with lesions in both lung fields and lymphadenopathy. Thus, transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) are commonly performed for diagnosing lung cancer. However, the adequacy of these samples for next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the adequacy between TBLC and EBUS‐TBNA samples for NGS analysis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients whose lung samples were collected via TBLC or EBUS‐TBNA and analyzed using NGS. Out of 46 genes, the number of genes in TBNA and TBLC samples that could not be assessed via NGS analysis was mainly evaluated.

Results

A total of 37 patients were included and classified into two groups (TBLC group, n = 18 and TBNA group, n = 19). The mean number of genes that could not be evaluated via NGS analysis was significantly lower in the TBLC group than in the TBNA group (0.9 vs. 10.3, P = 0.024). The median total area of tumor cells in TBLC samples was significantly greater than that in TBNA samples (6.3 [1.6–4.2] vs. 2.6 [0.2–17.3] mm², P < 0.01). In the TBNA group, there were two fully inadequate samples for NGS analysis with a high degree of cell crush or low tumor content, while there was no fully inadequate sample in the TBLC group.

Conclusions

TBLC is more effective in obtaining adequate samples for NGS analysis than EBUS‐TBNA. TBLC should be performed to obtain adequate samples for NGS analysis in lung cancer patients with target lesions in lung fields, even if they have lymphadenopathy.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

The mean number of genes that could not be evaluated was significantly lower in TBLC samples than in EBUS‐TBNA samples (0.9 vs. 10.3, P = 0.024). TBLC could obtain adequate samples with a high concentration of uncrushed tumor cells for NGS.

What this study adds

To obtain samples for NGS analysis, the use of TBLC should be aggressively considered in lung‐cancer patients with target lesions located in lung fields, even if they have lymphadenopathy.

Usefulness and safety of transbronchial biopsy with large forceps during flexible bronchoscopy

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) using forceps is one of the most common procedures used to obtain lung tissue. The procedure's usefulness remains limited when diagnosing interstitial lung diseases. This retrospective descriptive study analyzed the feasibility and safety of using large forceps for TBLB in all patients who underwent TBLB from 2014 to 2018 for diffuse lung disease where the diagnosis could not be made by high-resolution chest computed tomography. We excluded patients with radiographic features of usual interstitial pneumonia. Among the 35 study patients, 7 were men and 28 were women. Diagnoses included respiratory associated bronchiolitis (7), diffuse alveolar damage (4), organizing pneumonia (4), nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis (3), acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia (3), sarcoidosis (2), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (2), IgG4 interstitial lung disease (1), eosinophilic pneumonia (1), pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (1), pulmonary fibrosis (1), pneumocystis (1), plasma-rich bronchiolitis (1), and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (1). In three cases, the biopsies were nondiagnostic. Two patients developed a pneumothorax, and one required chest tube placement. There was one episode of minor bleeding. No escalation of care or hospitalization was required. Large-forceps TBLB is a feasible and safe method for obtaining parenchymal lung biopsies.

Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease diagnosed by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy

Granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease is a pulmonary complication of common variable immune deficiency with significant morbidity and increased mortality. Diagnosis has historically been obtained by surgical lung biopsy as transbronchial biopsy typically yields insufficient tissue for definitive diagnosis from a disease process with a patchy distribution. However, the potential for significant morbidity and mortality with surgical lung biopsy exists, necessitating the development of alternative diagnostic approaches. We present a case of granulomatous and lymphocytic interstitial lung disease confirmed through minimally invasive transbronchial lung cryobiopsy and discuss the role of this modality in diagnosing interstitial lung disease.