Cryobiopsy with radial-endobronchial ultrasound (Cryo-Radial) has comparable diagnostic yield with higher safety in comparison to computed tomography-guided transthoracic biopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions: An exploratory randomised study

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography-guided transthoracic biopsy (CT-TTB) is the 'gold standard' biopsy for lung nodules. Radial-endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) bronchoscopy is another recommended biopsy but carries a lower diagnostic yield. Addition of cryobiopsy with R-EBUS (Cryo-Radial) has shown promising results. There are no studies comparing CT-TTB with Cryo-Radial biopsy.

AIM

The co-primary aims were the diagnostic yeild and safety. The secondary aim: ability to test epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

METHODS

A randomised controlled, multicentre exploratory study was conducted at three tertiary hospitals. Patients with nodules >1 cm on CT of the chest were randomised to CT-TTB or Cryo-Radial. With Cryo-Radial, patients had 1-3 cryo-biopsies in addition to at least one R-EBUS biopsy through the 2.6 mm guide sheath.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients were randomised: 22 to CT-TTB and 26 to Cryo-Radial. Sixteen in the CT-TTB and 20 in the Cryo-Radial received the allocated biopsy. The diagnostic yield was CT-TTB 93.8% (15/16) versus Cryo-Radial 85% (17/20) P = 0.61 and the odds ratio was 0.37. For 5/13 (38%), a diagnosis was solely made on cryobiopsy. Eleven (78%) of 14 in CT-TTB versus 7/10 (70%) Cryo-Radial were suitable for EGFR testing P = 0.66, with odds ratio 0.63. Pneumothorax occurrence was 44% (7/16) in CT-TTB versus 4.2% (1/24) in Cryo-Radial. Two (12.5%) of 16 CT-TTB required chest drain insertion.

CONCLUSION

Cryo-Radial is comparable in diagnostic yield and ability to perform EGFR testing with a significantly lower risk of pneumothorax, compared with CT-TTB. Cryo-Radial has the additional advantage of mediastinal staging during the same procedure with Linear-EBUS and is a promising first-line tool in the diagnostic method of lung cancer.

Using cryobiopsy with Radial EBUS in high-bleeding-risk, peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL): description of cases and technique

Cryobiopsy is an emerging tool in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL) and becoming an important tool in the toolbox. Anecdotally the data on cryobiopsy use in the lung was extrapolated from the use of transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) in Interstitial Lung disease (ILD). Similar to ILD data, cryobiopsy in PPL also provided larger tissue compared to forceps biopsies. Yet, unlike TBCB in ILD, the safety profile for cryobiopsy in PPL seems much more favourable, yet the number of publications on cryobiopsy in PPL remains sparse. Some PPL, both malignant and non-malignant are considered to be of a high bleeding risk due to vascularity of the tumour and/or inflammation of the blood vessels and surrounding tissue. The use of cryobiopsy and the risk of bleeding in this type of PPL have not been described. This paper describes four patients with PPL, undergoing cryobiopsy with radial EBUS for suspected lung cancer, and later diagnosed to have a PPL, deemed to be of a high bleeding risk. The use of cryobiopsy with radial ultrasonic examination for the vasculature of the PPL, bronchial blocker use, and airway protection as well as an expert team preserved the safety of the procedure.

Predicting the Risk of Malignancy of Lung Nodules Diagnosed as Indeterminate on Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy

The next diagnostic step in cases of indeterminate radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (radial EBUS)-guided biopsy results remains uncertain. This study aimed to identify risk factors for malignancy based on clinical findings, chest computed tomography (CT), and radial EBUS images, and to estimate the risk of malignancy in lung nodules that showed indeterminate radial EBUS-guided biopsy results by constructing a nomogram. This retrospective study included 157 patients with indeterminate results on an initial radial EBUS biopsy performed at the Samsung Medical Center from January 2017 to December 2018, but with a definitive final diagnosis. Medical records, chest CT, radial EBUS images, and the final diagnoses were reviewed. Patients were randomly divided into training and validation sets. Factors related to malignancy were identified through logistic regression analysis, and a nomogram was constructed using the training set and subsequently applied to the validation set. Six factors in univariable and multivariable analyses, including upper lobe location, spiculation, satellite nodules, echogenicity, presence of dots or linear arcs, and patency of vessels and bronchi predicted malignancy. A nomogram was constructed based on these predictors. The area under the curve (AUC) value of the nomogram was 0.858 using the chest CT factors, which improved to 0.952 when radial EBUS factors were added. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the actual and nomogram-predicted malignancy outcomes. The utility of radial EBUS images for revealing risk factors of malignancy was confirmed. Furthermore, our nomogram was able to predict the probability of malignancy in lung nodules with indeterminate radial EBUS-guided biopsy results.

Feasibility of manual bronchial branch reading technique in navigating conventional rEBUS bronchoscopy in the evaluation of peripheral pulmonary lesion

BACKGROUND

Although radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) is an important verification tool in guided bronchoscopy, a navigational route was not provided. Manual airway mapping allows the bronchoscopist to translate the bronchial branching in computed tomography (CT) into a comparable bronchoscopic road map. We aimed to explore the feasibility of this technique in navigating conventional rEBUS bronchoscopy in the localisation of peripheral pulmonary lesion by determining navigation success and diagnostic yield.

METHODS

Retrospective review of consecutive rEBUS bronchoscopy performed with a 6.2 mm conventional bronchoscope navigated via manual bronchial branch reading technique over 18 months.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight target lesions were included. Median lesion size was 2.67 cm (IQR 2.22-3.38) with 96.9% demonstrating positive CT bronchus sign. Majority (86.7%) of lesions were situated in between the third and fifth airway generations. Procedure was performed with endotracheal intubation in 43.9% and fluoroscopy in 72.4%. 98.9% of lesions were successfully navigated and verified by rEBUS following the pre-planned airway road map. Bidirectional guiding device was employed in 29.6% of cases. Clinical diagnosis was secured in 88.8% of cases, majority of which were malignant disease. The discrepancy between navigation success and diagnostic yield was 10.1%. Target PPL located within five airway generations was associated with better diagnostic yield (95.1% vs. 58.8%, P < 0.001). There was 1 (1.0%) pneumothorax in our cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Manual bronchial branch reading technique in combination with conventional rEBUS is feasible in localisation of PPL, especially for lesions located within the first five airway generations.

Sensitivity of Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer in Patients With Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: An Updated Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Registry trials have found radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) sensitivity to vary between institutions, suggesting that in clinical practice, r-EBUS sensitivity may be lower than reported in clinical trials. We performed a meta-analysis to update the estimates of r-EBUS sensitivity and to explore factors contributing to heterogeneity of results.

METHODS

A systematic review using PubMed was performed through July 2018 to determine the sensitivity of r-EBUS for lung cancer, and to construct a summary receiver operating characteristic curve. The DerSimonian and Laird method was used to weight results. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression was used to identify sources of heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS tool, and publication bias was tested using funnel plots.

RESULTS

Fifty-one studies with a total of 7,601 patients were included. r-EBUS pooled sensitivity was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.70-0.75), and area under the sROC curve was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94-0.97). Significant heterogeneity was observed (I² = 76%; heterogeneity P < .01). We failed to demonstrate an association between sensitivity and air bronchus sign, average nodule size, use of fluoroscopy, virtual bronchoscopy, guide sheath, cancer prevalence, multicenter status, or consecutive enrollment. Rapid onsite cytology was associated with increased sensitivity (P = .01). The pooled pneumothorax rate was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.3%-1.1%). Funnel plots were asymmetrical, demonstrating sample size-related effects and possible publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

r-EBUS has an excellent safety profile, but there is significant between-study heterogeneity. Sample size-related effects and possibly publication bias have led to overly optimistic estimates of the sensitivity of r-EBUS.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary infectious lesions through virtual navigation, radial EBUS, ultrathin bronchoscopy, and ROSE

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of combined rapid on-site evaluation of cytology (ROSE), ultrathin bronchoscopy, virtual bronchoscopic navigation, radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary infectious lesions.

Methods

Specimens from patients with peripheral lung infection were obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and mNGS was used to detect pathogenic microorganisms. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS were compared between TBLB tissue and BAL fluid.

Results

The most common pathogens of pulmonary infectious lesions in this study were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The specificity of mNGS was higher in TBLB tissue than in BAL fluid, but mNGS of BAL fluid had higher sensitivity.

Conclusions

The combination of ROSE, ultrathin bronchoscopy, virtual bronchoscopic navigation, radial EBUS, and mNGS technology yielded high efficacy for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary infectious lesions. TBLB and BAL specimens have respective advantages in specificity and sensitivity for mNGS analysis.

Novel hybrid cryo-radial method: an emerging alternative to CT-guided biopsy in suspected lung cancer. A prospective case series and description of technique

In diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL), radial endobronchial ultrasound (R‐EBUS) is emerging as a safer method in comparison to CT‐guided biopsy. Despite the better safety profile, the yield of R‐EBUS remains lower (73%) than CT‐guided biopsy (90%) due to the smaller size of samples. We adopted a hybrid method by adding cryobiopsy via the R‐EBUS Guide Sheath (GS) to produce larger, non‐crushed samples to improve diagnostic capability and enhance molecular testing. We report six prospective patients who underwent this procedure in our institution. R‐EBUS samples were obtained via conventional sampling methods (needle aspiration, forceps biopsy, and cytology brush), followed by a cryobiopsy. An endobronchial blocker was placed near the planned area of biopsy in advance and inflated post‐biopsy to minimize the risk of bleeding in all patients. A chest X‐ray was performed 1 h post‐procedure. All the PPLs were visualized with R‐EBUS. The mean diameter of cryobiopsy samples was twice the size of forceps biopsy samples. In four patients, cryobiopsy samples were superior in size and the number of malignant cells per high power filed and was the preferred sample selected for mutation analysis and molecular testing. There was no pneumothorax or significant bleeding to report. Cryobiopsy samples were consistently larger and were the preferred samples for molecular testing, with an increase in the diagnostic yield and reduction in the need for repeat procedures, without hindering the marked safety profile of R‐EBUS. Using an endobronchial blocker improves the safety of this procedure.

Retrospective analysis of radial EBUS outcome for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesion: sensitivity and complications

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to clarify the sensitivity and complication rate of the radial (endobronchial ultrasound, EBUS) without the use of guide-sheath (GS) and fluoroscopy for lung cancer (LC), by measuring the distance from the orifice of the bronchus to the pulmonary lesion, as well as to analyze factors that can predict the diagnostic outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 147 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL) underwent radial EBUS-guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in between August 1, 2013, and August 31, 2014. We analyzed retrospectively radiological data, diagnostic work-up in everyday clinical settings, final diagnosis and complication rates, as well as factors influencing the diagnostic outcome.

RESULTS

Around 63.9% of PPLs were visualized by ultrasound. A definitive malignant diagnosis was established in 39 patients (26.5%) using radial EBUS. In the remaining 108 patients, additional procedures were performed. We missed LC diagnosis in 40 cases that results in a sensitivity of 49%. For malignant lesions visualized by radial EBUS, the sensitivity was 60%, compared with 24% for not visualized lesions. For malignant lesions, logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that had significant influence on visualization of the lesion and on diagnostic yield. Logistic regression analysis showed significant odds ratios (OR) for visualization depending on location of the lesion; upper lobe lesions were identified more frequent with OR of 3.85 (95% CI 1.42 - 10.98, p=0.009). Size above 30 mm had a non-significant OR of 2.11 (95% CI 0.80-5.73, p=0.134) for visualization.Diagnostic yield was only significantly influenced by visualization with the radial EBUS, OR 3.70 (95% CI 1.35-11.02, p=0.014). Location (p=0.745) and size above 30 mm (p=0.308) showed no significant increase in diagnostic yield.Other lesion characteristics defined on computed tomography, such as distance to carina and pleura, did not show any significant influence on the diagnostic yield. The complications rate was low with three cases of pneumothorax.

CONCLUSION

Radial EBUS has definitely its place in the diagnostic work-up of PPL, especially for the lesions that can be visualized by radial ultrasound. However, prospective randomized controlled studies are necessary to raise the diagnostic yield and to define factors that can predict the outcome, which will consequently enable selection of the 'right' patients for this diagnostic procedure.

Additional transbronchial needle aspiration through a guide sheath for peripheral pulmonary lesions that cannot be detected by radial EBUS

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) has resulted to better diagnostic outcome for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), although the yield is not satisfactory for lesions that cannot be located by EBUS. We aimed to evaluate whether the addition of a new technique, transbronchial needle aspiration through a guide sheath (GS-TBNA), can increase the yield for these cases.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of cases that were not located by EBUS during EBUS-GS for PPL diagnosis. From September 2012 to August 2014, 67 PPLs had 'invisible' EBUS-GS location prior to transbronchial sampling. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of additional GS-TBNA: GS-TBNA group (n=22) and non-GS-TBNA group (n=45). Diagnostic yields were compared and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with increased diagnostic yield.

RESULTS

The diagnostic yield was significantly higher in the GS-TBNA group than in the non-GS-TBNA group (54.5% vs 17.8%, P<0.01). The complication rate was not significantly different between the GS-TBNA group and the non-GS-TBNA group (0% vs 4.4%, P=1.0). Multivariate analysis showed that only performing GS-TBNA was significantly associated with increased diagnostic yield (odds ratio 3.99, P=0.03).

CONCLUSION

GS-TBNA is a safe technique for PPL diagnosis and may be useful when the EBUS probe cannot reach the lesion.

The diagnostic value of histology and cytology samples during endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath

OBJECTIVE

Endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath has been a widely used diagnostic procedure for peripheral pulmonary lesions. After sequential sampling with the usual devices, small portions of the collected specimen remain in the guide sheath and these can potentially contribute to diagnosis. We assessed the diagnostic value of each histological and cytological sample, especially the guide sheath flush, for pulmonary malignancies.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who were diagnosed to have peripheral lung cancer by endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath in our hospital between January 2014 and May 2014 were reviewed. Separate samples from forceps biopsy, bronchial brushing, device wash, guide sheath flush and bronchial lavage were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 106 consecutive patients (54 men, 52 women, median age 69.0 years) were included. The median long axis size of the lesions was 26.0 mm. A definitive diagnosis was made in 90.6% of forceps biopsy samples and in 85.8% of all cytology samples combined. Individual yields were 61.3% from brushing, 77.4% from device wash, 72.6% from guide sheath flush and 32.1% from bronchial lavage. The diagnosis yield from forceps biopsy was significantly higher than each cytological sampling method (P < 0.05). Among the cytological sampling methods, yield from bronchial lavage was significantly the lowest (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Forceps biopsy is an important sampling method during endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath for peripheral pulmonary lesions. In the collection of diagnostic liquid samples, guide sheath flush is more advantageous than bronchial lavage and provides specimen that may be adequate for molecular testing.

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.