Diagnostic efficacy of cryobiopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions: A propensity score analysis. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Furuse, Hideaki; Matsumoto, Yuji; Nakai, Toshiyuki; Tanaka, Midori; Nishimatsu, Kanako; Uchimura, Keigo; Imabayashi, Tatsuya; Tsuchida, Takaaki; Ohe, Yuichiro
• Is Part Of: Lung cancer. Volume 178(2023)
• Page Start: 220
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: CT computed tomography -- GGO ground-glass opacity -- ILD interstitial lung disease -- LLL left lower lobe -- LUS left upper segment -- ML middle lobe -- PPL peripheral pulmonary lesion -- R-EBUS radial endobronchial ultrasound -- RLL right lower lobe -- RUL right upper lobe -- VBN virtual bronchoscopic navigation -- VF virtual fluoroscopy; Bronchoscopy -- Cryobiopsy -- Ground-glass opacity -- Lung cancer -- Peripheral pulmonary lesion; Lungs -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Lung Neoplasms -- Abstracts; Lung Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Poumons -- Cancer -- Périodiques; Lungs -- Cancer; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 616.99424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.02.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5002

Abstract

Highlights: The diagnostic yields of transbronchial biopsy for PPLs are still low. Cryobiopsy provides quantitatively and qualitatively excellent specimens. Cryobiopsy improves diagnostic yield for PPLs compared to conventional sampling methods. We found that cryobiopsy is effective for lesions in the ML/lingula and RLL/LLL. Cryobiopsy is beneficial for lesions with GGO and those invisible on radiography. Abstract: Objectives: Recently introduced cryobiopsy can provide quantitatively and qualitatively excellent specimens. However, few studies have directly compared the diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) with that of conventional sampling methods. Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy using radial endobronchial ultrasound and virtual bronchoscopic navigation for PPLs (October 2015 to September 2020). Patients who underwent cryobiopsy were assigned to the cryo group, whereas those who did not undergo cryobiopsy were assigned to the conventional group. The diagnostic outcomes of both groups were compared using propensity score analyses. Results: A total of 2, 724 cases were identified, including 492 and 2, 232 cases in the cryo and conventional groups, respectively. Propensity scoring was performed to match baseline characteristics, and 481 pairs of cases were selected for each matched group (m-group). The diagnostic yield was significantly higher in the m-cryo group than in the m-conventional group (89.2% vs. 77.6%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.36 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65–3.38], P < 0.001). Propensity score stratification (OR = 2.35 [95% CI = 1.71–3.23]) and regression adjustment (OR = 2.54 [95% CI = 1.83–3.52]) also demonstrated the diagnostic advantages of cryobiopsy. The subgroup analysis revealed that cryobiopsy was notably effective for lesions in the middle lobe/lingula, right/left lower lobe, lesions with ground-glass opacity, and lesions invisible on chest radiography. Although there were more cases of grade 2 and 3 bleeding in the m-cryo group than in the m-conventional group (38.0% vs. 10.2% and 1.5% vs. 0.8%, respectively; P < 0.001), no grade 4 bleeding was observed. Conclusion: The propensity score analyses revealed that cryobiopsy was associated with a higher diagnostic yield for PPLs than conventional sampling methods. However, increased bleeding risk should be noted as a potential complication.