Novel technique to prevent central airway blood flooding during transbronchial cryobiopsy

Fatal airway obstruction due to endobronchial bleeding post cryobiopsy: a case report

Cryobiopsy offers an advantage because of the extraction of more extensive tissue and enhanced diagnostic accuracy. However, the risk of bleeding from the biopsy site is higher. We report a lung tumor patient who experienced bleeding in the right main bronchus after cryobiopsy. Suctioning was performed, cold saline was administered, and the bleeding stopped. Five minutes after the procedure, the patient experienced desaturation. A re-bronchoscopy found massive bleeding in the right main bronchus which spread to the left main bronchus. Suctioning was performed, cold saline and epinephrine were administered. Before further treatment was given, the patient got cardiac arrest and he was treated in the intensive care unit. This highlighted the importance of training and considering the additional precautions for bleeding control. Intensive monitoring of the patients is needed when performing cryobiopsy to prepare for the early management of complications, especially for those patients with risk factors for bleeding in cryobiopsy.

Modified two-scope technique for transbronchial lung cryobiopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions

Bleeding mitigation is an important part of any transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) procedure, either for interstitial lung disease (ILD) or peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). The two-scope technique has been previously described for ILD and PPL-TBLC, but it has its own limitations and technical and logistical complexities. In this case series, we describe a modified two-scope technique that enhances the conventional two-scope technique by maintaining a small equipment footprint and longer bronchoscopic vision without the need for intra-procedure switching of bronchoscopes. Three cases of PPLs were navigated by standard radial endobronchial ultrasound and biopsied with the 1.1 mm flexible ultrathin cryoprobe. All cases achieved a conclusive diagnosis with adequate specimens for immunohistochemical staining and molecular analysis; only Grade 1 bleeding reported in two cases. The challenges and limitations of this modified two-scope technique were also explored in this series.

Ultrathin bronchoscopy for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions

Bronchoscopes are continuously improving. Increasingly, thinner bronchoscopes with larger working channels and better imaging quality are becoming available for clinical use. Concurrently, useful ancillary devices have been developed, such as radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) and navigation devices. Randomized studies have demonstrated the diagnostic superiority of ultrathin bronchoscopy over thin bronchoscopy under rEBUS and virtual bronchoscopic navigation guidance for small, peripheral pulmonary lesions. Furthermore, biopsy needles and cryoprobes have been miniaturized and adapted to the working channel of the new ultrathin bronchoscopes. Multi-modality and multi-instrumental ultrathin bronchoscopy using such new technologies has facilitated high diagnostic yields.

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.

Thin bronchoscopic cryobiopsy using a nasobronchial tube

BACKGROUND

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is useful when diagnosing lung lesions. However, prevention of associated bleeding complications is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of our novel bronchoscopic cryobiopsy technique, which uses a long nasobronchial tube to prevent blood flooding the central airway.

METHODS

Patients with localized or diffuse lung lesions were prospectively enrolled and underwent cryobiopsy using a 1.9 mm diameter cryoprobe and a 4.0 mm diameter thin bronchoscope under conscious sedation. For cryobiopsy, a long silicone tube (inner diameter, 5.0 mm) was advanced through the nose to the target bronchus, then wedged to drain blood under thin-tube bronchoscopic control. The primary endpoint was the frequency of bleeding complications.

RESULTS

Of the 80 patients initially enrolled, 73 that underwent at least one cryobiopsy were ultimately included. Mild bleeding during cryobiopsy occurred in 58 patients (79.5%), but there was no moderate or severe bleeding. Other complications occurred in four patients (two pneumothorax, one pneumomediastinum, and one pneumonia). Tube dislocation was noted in eight patients (11%). Cryobiopsy specimens were significantly larger than forceps biopsy specimens (9.0 mm² vs. 2.7 mm², P < .001) and allowed specific diagnoses in 50 patients (68.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Thin bronchoscopic cryobiopsy using a nasobronchial tube in consciously sedated patients is safe and effective. Trial registration Date of registration: 24/06/2019. UMIN-Clinical Trials Registry; Identifier: UMIN000037156 https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm.

Feasibility of the modified balloon occlusion method using a 6-Fr balloon catheter in transbronchial lung cryobiopsy

BACKGROUND

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is useful for diagnosing diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD). To prevent bleeding during TBLC, the balloon occlusion method has been recommended. However, displacement can occur occasionally, especially with a 4-Fr balloon. We aimed to investigate whether the use of a 6-Fr balloon would allow tamponade at a more proximal position and decrease balloon displacement in TBLC under flexible bronchoscopy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with DPLD who underwent TBLC using the modified balloon occlusion method between June 2019 and May 2021.

RESULTS

The median number of TBLCs was three (range, 2-5). The most common balloon placement site was the right basal bronchus (14 patients). Mild and moderate bleeding was seen in 10 patients each. Successful balloon occlusion was achieved in all patients without dislocation.

CONCLUSION

The modified balloon occlusion method in TBLC under flexible bronchoscopy might be a reasonable option for bleeding prevention.