Diagnostic usefulness of bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

As lung cancers arising in a background of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are known to show high malignancy grades, early pathologic diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) is important. Meanwhile, the risk of complications associated with diagnostic procedures is high, which prompted us to investigate the role of bronchoscopy, a relatively safe diagnostic procedure. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the usefulness of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of PPLs in patients with IPF.

Methods

Data of consecutive patients with IPF who underwent bronchoscopy under radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) guidance for PPLs at our institution between April 2014 and March 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. IPF was defined as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) or probable UIP, in accordance with the classification in the latest global guidelines. The diagnostic outcomes and the factors independently related to the diagnostic yield were analyzed.

Results

A total of 92 patients were included in the analysis. The median (range) size of the target PPLs was 27.1 (11.4-75.3) mm, and the diagnostic yield was 82.6%. Multivariable analysis identified a larger size [P=0.017; odds ratio (OR), 5.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.29-22.01], positive bronchus sign (P=0.035; OR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.12-22.18), and not involved with UIP/probable UIP pattern (P=0.023; OR and 95% CI, unmeasurable) as being associated with a significantly higher diagnostic yield. Meanwhile, none of the patients developed acute exacerbation of IPF or pneumothorax following the diagnostic bronchoscopy.

Conclusions

Bronchoscopy using R-EBUS was safe and showed an acceptable diagnostic yield for PPLs, even in patients with IPF.

Molecular analysis of peripheral lung adenocarcinoma in brush cytology obtained by EBUS plus fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy

BACKGROUND

More than 60% of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages. The introduction of targeted therapies requires molecular diagnosis to guide treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing mutational analysis with brushing specimens obtained by radial-miniprobe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) plus fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy in patients with peripheral pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Brushing specimens were deposited on cytological slides and were conserved in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) culture medium. DNA was isolated to perform a mutational analysis with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS).

RESULTS

Thirty patients with adenocarcinoma were prospectively included. In 100% of the patients, the molecular study was viable with brushing specimens. In 16 (53.3%), KRAS or EGFR mutations were detected: 10 KRAS mutations (33.3%) and 6 EGFR mutations (20%). In a comparison with histological samples, a correlation of 86.6% was detected, and only 2 patients with wild-type results from brushing specimens presented with an EGFR mutation in histological samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Brushing specimens conserved in RPMI medium and obtained by R-EBUS plus fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy are valid for molecular studies. They allow the detection of EGFR/KRAS mutations in patients with peripheral adenocarcinoma. In addition, invasive techniques are avoided, the risk of complications is reduced, and the obtained samples are optimized.

Combination of virtual bronchoscopic navigation, endobronchial ultrasound, and rapid on-site evaluation for diagnosing small peripheral pulmonary lesions: a prospective phase II study

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) by flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is still insufficient. To improve the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy, several techniques such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN), and rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) have been examined. The primary purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of combining EBUS, VBN, and ROSE for diagnosing small PPLs.

METHODS

Patients with PPLs 30 mm or less on chest computed tomography (CT) were prospectively enrolled. We determined the responsible bronchus for the target lesions using VBN before bronchoscopy was performed. EBUS and ROSE were performed during the examination to determine whether the bronchus and specimen were adequate. On the basis of previous studies, we assumed that the diagnostic yield of 85% among eligible patients would indicate potential usefulness, whereas, the diagnostic yield of 75% would indicate the lower limit of interest. The required number of patients was estimated as 45 for a one-sided α value of 0.2 and a β value of 0.8. The primary study endpoint was the diagnostic yield.

RESULTS

Between June 2014 and July 2015, we enrolled 50 patients in the present study, and we excluded 5 patients. The total diagnostic yield of 45 PPLs was 77.7%. In cases of lung cancer, the diagnostic yield was 84.2%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ROSE were 90.6%, 92.3%, 96.7%, and 80.0%, respectively. The diagnostic yield of PPLs from 20 to 30 mm was 87.5%, and the diagnostic yield of PPLs less than 20 mm was 66.7%. PPLs for which the probe was located within the lesion had the highest diagnostic yield.

CONCLUSIONS

We could not demonstrate usefulness for diagnosing small PPLs by combining EBUS, VBN, and ROSE. However, combining these techniques may be useful for diagnosing lung cancer.

Improved diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in peripheral pulmonary lesions: combination of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound and rapid on-site evaluation

BACKGROUND

Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of cytologic specimens is a useful ancillary technique in needle aspiration procedures of pulmonary/mediastinal lesions, but few reports had been carried out to confirm the utility in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) by radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS).

METHODS

To evaluate the impact of ROSE on the diagnostic yield of R-EBUS for PPLs, we retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic yields of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) or brushing using R-EBUS for patients with PPLs in a tertiary university hospital from December 2012 to December 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 815 patients with PPLs were included. A definite diagnosis was made by R-EBUS-guided TBB or brushing for 627 patients (76.9%). A total of 279 patients (34.2%) were examined by a ROSE technique. The combination of R-EBUS guided TBB or brushing with ROSE raised the diagnostic yield in the diagnosis of PPLs, especially difficult cases: right apical and left apical-posterior segment locations, small PPLs <3 cm without bronchus signs on computed tomography (CT) scan, PPLs with pleural effusions, and the position of probe is not within.

CONCLUSIONS

ROSE can improve the PPLs diagnostic yield when using R-EBUS guided TBB or brushing.

Image-guided bronchoscopy for histopathologic diagnosis of pure ground glass opacity: a case report

Guided bronchoscopy has been found to be useful for the diagnosis of solid peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) but more evidence on ground glass opacities (GGOs), especially those without a solid component, are lacking. A 69-year-old male, asymptomatic, heavy smoker was referred to our department for non-surgical diagnosis of a focal pure GGO in the right upper lobe that was found incidentally on computed tomography (CT). Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) with the aide of endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS), virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN), and fluoroscopy was performed for sampling. There were no complications after the procedure. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma with lepidic growth pattern was established from the fourth and fifth TBB specimens and was confirmed on subsequent surgical resection. Image-guided bronchoscopy with TBB was successful for the diagnosis of a pure GGO. Use of a larger biopsy device may be helpful for the histopathologic diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma with lepidic growth.