The diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy versus forceps biopsy of malignant endobronchial lesions

Abstract

Background: In patients with endoscopically visible lesions, flexible bronchoscopy with FB is the most frequently used technique to obtain specimens for pathologic analysis with sensitivity of approximately 74%. The flexible cryoprobe, so far used for cryotherapy and endoluminal tumor debulking, also seemed to be suitable for biopsies from visible lesions. Objective: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of cryobiopsy and forceps biopsy. Patients and methods: For each patient group with a confirmed endobronchial lesion, diagnostic yield and safety of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy were recorded. Results: The diagnostic yield was significantly higher with cryobiopsy (95%), compared with forceps biopsy (80%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Cryobiopsy is a safe high diagnostic yield technique in sampling endobronchial tumor lesions.

Keywords

• Cryobiopsy
• Endobronchial tumor
• Forceps biopsy