CT Bronchus Sign Research Articles

Outcomes of the electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy using forceps for lung lesion suspected malignancy: A retrospective study.

Many studies have reported electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) diagnostic yields and the importance of size and computed tomography (CT) bronchus sign. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic yield of ENB alone, using forceps biopsy and cytology. We analyzed the factors associated with yield and complications according to gross specimen size. This retrospective study included patients who underwent ENB using forceps for suspected lung lesions on CT between January 2020 and December 2022 in South Korea. Factors related to the ENB diagnostic yield and complications were evaluated, and the impacts of gross specimen size and cytology were analyzed. A total of 276 patients were analyzed. The final diagnostic yield was 75.5% after excluding indeterminate cases. Sensitivity and specificity were 74.2% and 100%, respectively. Pneumothorax developed in 1.4% (4/276) of cases, with no grade 3 or higher bleeding. Univariable analysis showed that the number of biopsies and the size of the gross specimen were related to the diagnosis. Multivariable analyses showed that a larger lesion size on CT was a significant factor for diagnosis. The gross size of the specimens was not significantly associated with epinephrine use. ENB had acceptable diagnostic yield and safety for diagnosing lung lesions with suspected malignancy. Obtaining more tissue through biopsy may not increase bleeding or pneumothorax complications. Identifying patients with lesion characteristics, including CT bronchus sign, would help increase ENB diagnostic yield.

Diagnostic Role of Bronchoscopic Brush Biopsy Guided by Thin-Section Computed Tomography in Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions

Objective: The diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) is important as they may be malignant. It is difficult to diagnose PPLs in the absence of a diagnostic guiding tool. Computed tomography (CT) thin-section multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images have been used as an alternative guide for bronchoscopic diagnosis of PPL. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of MPR image guidance for PPL. Methods: Patients with PPL who underwent bronchoscopic brush biopsy guided by thoracic CT thin-section MPR images at our center were retrospectively reviewed. The distance of the lesion to the distal bronchus, the presence of the CT-Bronchus sign, the location of the PPL, and the size of the PPL were recorded from the hospital image record archive. The diagnosis rate was obtained from the procedure records. Results: The study included 92 cases. The mean PPL size was 40 ± 21 mm and the mean distal bronchial lesion distance was 27 ± 19 mm. A total of 49 (53.3%) patients had a positive CT-Bronchus sign. The diagnostic yield of the method was 48.9%. The diagnosis rate was significantly higher in patients with positive CT-Bronchus sign (67.3%) compared to those without (26.7%) (P = 0.001). Factors affecting the diagnosis in the logistic regression analysis were distal bronchial lesion distance, presence of CT-Bronchus sign,and localization of the lesion. Conclusion: CT thin-section MPR images can be used for bronchoscopy guidance in cases with PPL larger than 20 mm and positive CT-Bronchus sign in centers where an interventional radiology unit and other guidance tools are not available.

Diagnostic Performance and Safety Profile of Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rationale: Conventional electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and other guided bronchoscopic modalities have a very desirable safety profile, but their diagnostic yield is only 60-70% for pulmonary lesions. Recently, robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) platforms have been introduced to improve the diagnostic performance of bronchoscopic modalities. Objectives: To determine the diagnostic performance and safety profile of RAB (using shape-sensing and electromagnetic navigation-based platforms) by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to find studies that reported on the diagnostic performance and/or the safety profile of one of the RAB systems. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed using MedCalc version 20.118. Pooled diagnostic yield was calculated using a Freeman-Tukey transformation. We planned to use a random-effects model if the I2 index was >40%. Results: Twenty-five studies were included: 20 including diagnostic and safety analyses and 5 including only safety analyses. The pooled diagnostic yield of RAB (20 studies, 1,779 lesions) was 84.3% (95% confidence interval, 81.1-87.2%). The I2 index was 65.6%. On the basis of our subgroup analyses, the heterogeneity was likely driven by differences in study designs (prospective vs. retrospective) and procedural protocols (such as different RAB systems). Lesion size > 2 cm, the presence of a computed tomography bronchus sign, and concentric radial endobronchial ultrasound view were associated with a statistically significant increase in the odds of diagnosis with RAB. The overall rates of pneumothorax, need for tube thoracostomy, and significant hemorrhage were 2.3%, 1.2%, and 0.5%, respectively. Conclusions: RAB systems have significantly increased the diagnostic yield of navigational bronchoscopy compared with conventional systems such as electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, but well-designed prospective studies are needed to better understand the impact of various factors, such as the use of three-dimensional imaging modalities, cryobiopsy, and specific ventilatory protocols, on the diagnostic yield of RAB.

Bronchoalveolar lavage in lung cancer: does it increase the positive yield of bronchoscopy?

Abstract Background Cells obtained from bronchoalveolar space can give a definite diagnosis in malignancies. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in lung cancer and to assess the relationship of its yield with radiology, endoscopy, and pathological subtypes. Patients and methods A retrospective study with re-revision of saved bronchoscopic video, computed tomography (CT) films, and pathology slides was conducted on 101 patients with definite bronchogenic carcinoma diagnosed over 4 years. Results BAL positive yield was found in 42.4% of cases, and its yield coincided with other bronchoscopic sampling methods in 43.6% of cases. Regarding CT findings, the BAL positive yield was significantly higher in peripheral lesions (79.1%), mass size more than or equal to 3 cm (62.8%), CT bronchus sign (46.5%), hilar and/or mediastinal adenopathy (86.0%), and consolidation (51.2%). The most common bronchoscopic abnormality in patients with BAL positive yield was submucosal lesions (83.3%). The adenocarcinoma (48.8%) and bronchoalveolar carcinoma (11.6%) were the histopathological types having significant BAL positive yield. The most significant predictive factors for BAL positive yield were mediastinal adenopathy, endobronchial lesions, nonvisible lesions, adenocarcinoma type, submucosal lesions, CT bronchus sign, mass size more than or equal to 3 cm, peripheral lesions, and concomitant use of bronchial brushing. BAL had 40.3% sensitivity, 51.7% specificity, 67.4% positive predictive value, 25.9% negative predictive value, and 43.6% diagnostic accuracy in bronchogenic carcinoma. Conclusion BAL increases the positive yield of bronchoscopy by 13.9% with fair diagnostic performance, especially in peripherally locating nonvisible lesions. Although tissue biopsy remains the gold standard sampling, clinicians might rely on BAL cytology for diagnosis of lung cancer in some patients.

Computed Tomography Bronchus Sign Subclassification during Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Biopsy: A Retrospective Analysis

The presence of computed tomography bronchus sign (CT-BS) substantially increases the diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions. However, the clinical significance of subdividing CT-BS remains controversial. We classified bronchus types on CT into six subtypes (CT-BS group I: types Ia-Ic with the bronchus connected within the lesion, group II: types IIa-IIc without connection) to clarify the differences in their characteristics and investigate the factors associated with diagnosis during radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS)-guided bronchoscopy. In total, 1021 cases were analyzed. Our findings in diagnostic yields were that in CT-BS group I, penetrating type Ic was inferior to obstructed type Ia and narrowing type Ib (59.0% vs. 80.0% and 76.3%, p < 0.001, p = 0.004); in CT-BS group II, compressed type IIa showed no difference when compared with invisible type IIb and uninvolved type IIc (IIa: 52.8% vs. IIb: 46.3% and IIc: 35.7%, p = 0.253). Multivariable analysis revealed that bronchus type (types Ia and Ib vs. Ic) was a significant independent predictor of successful diagnosis in CT-BS group I (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.05; p = 0.035), along with known factors such as rEBUS visualization. CT-BS subclassification may provide useful information regarding the bronchoscopic technique to facilitate accurate diagnosis.

ЗНАЧЕНИЕ КОМПЬЮТЕРНО-ТОМОГРАФИЧЕСКОГО ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ПРИ ВЫПОЛНЕНИИ НАВИГАЦИОННЫХ БРОНХОБИОПСИЙ В ДИФФЕРЕНЦИАЛЬНОЙ ДИАГНОСТИКЕ ПЕРИФЕРИЧЕСКИХ ОБРАЗОВАНИЙ ЛЕГКИХ

Aim: to study radiological semiotics of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) detected by CT of the chest, and establish radiological patterns, which significantly increase effectiveness of navigation bronchobiopsies. Materials and methods. A cohort retrospective study included 278 patients with PPLs with verified diagnoses established by invasive diagnostic procedures (navigation bronchoscopy with a complex of biopsies and/or diagnostic thoracic surgery). The study included 162 (58.3%) women aged 13 to 80 yrs. (average age – 46.21 ± 5.23) and 116 (41.7%) men aged 14 to 85 yrs. (average age – 46.05 ± 3.49). The patients were divided into 4 nosological groups: pulmonary TB patients – 158 (56.8%), neoplastic patients – 79 (28.4%), nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis (NTPM) patients – 21 (7.6%), and protracted course community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients (presentations of PPLs) – 20 (7.2%). Results. According to chest CT data, PPLs had three major radiological sings, defined as “infiltrate”, “rounded shadow”, and “focus”. Rounded shadows prevailed in NTPM patients and neoplastic patients. Statistically significant differences between the groups were as follows: the medium maximum size and contour of PPLs (focus / rounded shadow / infiltrate), the presence of bronchiectasis and the type of foci (lobular/sublobular/acinar) in the lung parenchyma surrounding PPLs, the presence of calcification, cavitation, or air bronchograms inside PPLs. The total effectiveness of bronchoscopic verification of PPLs in patients with “CT bronchus sign” was 79.4%, which significantly exceeded diagnosis verification in patients without it (17.9%) (р &lt; 0.001). The effectiveness of diagnosis verification by bronchobiopsy in patients with PPLs less than 20 mm (CT data) achieved 50% irrespective of etiology. The most effective bronchoscopic verification of diagnoses was observed in TB and NTPM patients with PPLs ≥ 20 mm – 83.3% and 100.0% respectively, and in neoplastic patients with PPLs ≥ 30 mm it reached 93.0%. The lobar localization of the process did not affect the diagnostic effectiveness of bronchobiopsies. Conclusion. The highest effectiveness of bronchobiopsies was observed in patients with the CT bronchus sign and with PPLs ≥ 20 mm or ≥ 30 mm (CT data). The volume of diagnostic biopsies obtained by navigation bronchoscopy or surgical resection should be determined by radiological morphology of PPLs with estimation of malignancy or benign signs revealed by CT of the chest.

Multimodality-guided Transbronchial Lung Biopsy in Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules: A Comparison Between using an Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy and a Thin Bronchoscope

Objective: To compare the diagnostic yield of using a thin bronchoscope (TB) and ENB in the diagnosis of small PPNs combined with routine R-EBUS and fluoroscopy.Materials and Methods: Patients with a PPN less than or equal to 30 mm were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 4 mm thin bronchoscope (TB group) and 5.9 mm conventional bronchoscope with an ENB (the superDimension®) system (ENB group).Results: In total, 49 patients were enrolled and randomized into two groups: TB group (n = 24) and ENB group (n = 25). The mean size of the PPNs was 22 mm. There was no difference in nodule size, location of the nodules, the presence of computed tomography (CT) bronchus sign, and EBUS location between the groups. The diagnostic yields were 73.9% and 66.7% in the TB group and ENB group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic yield between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that the diagnostic yieldwas significantly higher when there was also a CT bronchus sign (odds ratio 48.82, p = 0.031) and when the bronchoscope could reach a greater airway depth (odds ratio 6.21, p = 0.023). The overall complication was 2%, which was pneumothorax in one patient in the TB group.Conclusion: Multimodality-guided techniques can improve the diagnostic yield in the diagnosis of PPNs. The PPNs larger than 2 cm with the presence of CT bronchus sign, the ENB provides a similar diagnostic yield compared to the thin bronchoscope. Further analysis and adequately powered prospective studies are required to confirm the advantages of ENB.

CT-Assisted Improvements in the Accuracy of the Intraoperative Frozen Section Examination of Ground-Glass Density Nodules.

Objectives The intraoperative frozen section examination (IFSE) of pulmonary ground-glass density nodules (GGNs) is a great challenge. In the present study, through comparing the correlation between the computed tomography (CT) findings and pathological diagnosis of GGNs, the CT features as independent risk factors affecting the examination were defined, and their value in the rapid intraoperative examination of GGNs was explored. Methods The relevant clinical data of 90 patients with GGNs on CT were collected, and all CT findings of GGNs, including the maximum transverse diameter, average CT value, spiculation, solid component, vascular sign, air sign, bronchus sign, lobulation, and pleural indentation, were recorded. All the cases received thoracoscopic surgery, and final pathological results were obtained. The cases were divided into three groups on the basis of pathological diagnosis: benign/atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)/microinvasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). The CT findings were analyzed statistically, the independent risk factors were identified through the intergroup bivariate logistic regression analysis on variables with statistically significant differences, and a receiver operating curve (ROC) was plotted to establish a logistic regression model for diagnosing GGNs. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the coincidence rate of the rapid intraoperative and routine postoperative pathological examinations of the 90 cases with GGNs. The relevant clinical data of 49 cases with GGNs were collected. Conventional rapid intraoperative examination and CT-assisted rapid intraoperative examination were performed, and their coincidence rates with routine postoperative pathological examinations were compared. Results No statistical differences in the onset age, gender, smoking history, and family history of malignant tumors were found among cases with GGNs in the identification of benign/AAH, AIS/MIA, and IAC (P = 0.158, P = 0.947, P = 0.746, P = 0.566). No statistically significant difference was found among the three groups in terms of CT findings, such as lobulation, bronchus sign, pleural indentation, spiculation, vascular sign, and solid component (P > 0.05). The air sign, the maximum transverse diameter of GGNs, and average CT value showed statistically significant differences among the groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.001). Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on three risk factors, and the predicted probability value was obtained. A ROC curve was plotted by using the maximum transverse diameter as a predictor for analysis between the groups with benign/AAH and AIS/MIA, and the results demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.692. A ROC curve was plotted by using the predicted probability value, maximum transverse diameter, and average CT value as predictors for distinguishing between the groups with AIS/MIA and IAC, and the results showed that the AUC values of the predicted probability value, maximum transverse diameter, and CT value were 0.920, 0.816, and 0.772, respectively. A regression model [Logit (P) = 2.304 − 2.689X1 + 0.302X2 + 0.011X3] was established to identify GGNs as IAC, obtaining AUC values of up to 0.920 for the groups with AIS/MIA and IAC, the sensitivity of 0.821, and the specificity of 0.894. The coincidence rate of rapid intraoperative and routine postoperative pathological examinations taken for modeling was 79.3%, that of conventional IFSE and postoperative pathological examination in prospective studies was 83.7%, and that of CT-assisted rapid intraoperative and postoperative pathological examinations was 98.0%. The former two were statistically different from the last one (P = 0.003 and P = 0.031, respectively). Conclusion The air sign, maximum transverse diameter, and average CT value of the CT findings of GGNs had superior capabilities to enhance the pathologic classification of GGNs. The auxiliary function of the comprehensive multifactor analysis of GGNs was better than that of single-factor analysis. CT-assisted diagnosis can improve the accuracy of rapid intraoperative examination, thereby increasing the accuracy of the selection of operative approaches in clinical practice.

Clinical-radiological predictive model in differential diagnosis of small (\u2264\u200920\xa0mm) solitary pulmonary nodules

BackgroundThere is a lack of clinical-radiological predictive models for the small (≤ 20 mm) solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). We aim to establish a clinical-radiological predictive model for differentiating malignant and benign small SPNs.Materials and methodsBetween January 2013 and December 2018, a retrospective cohort of 250 patients with small SPNs was used to construct the predictive model. A second retrospective cohort of 101 patients treated between January 2019 and December 2020 was used to independently test the model. The model was also compared to two other models that had previously been identified.ResultsIn the training group, 250 patients with small SPNs including 156 (62.4%) malignant SPNs and 94 (37.6%) benign SPNs patients were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that older age, pleural retraction sign, CT bronchus sign, and higher CEA level were the risk factors of malignant small SPNs. The predictive model was established as: X = − 10.111 + [0.129 × age (y)] + [1.214 × pleural retraction sign (present = 1; no present = 0)] + [0.985 × CT bronchus sign (present = 1; no present = 0)] + [0.21 × CEA level (ug/L)]. Our model had a significantly higher region under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.870; 50% CI: 0.828–0.913) than the other two models.ConclusionsWe established and validated a predictive model for estimating the pre-test probability of malignant small SPNs, that can help physicians to choose and interpret the outcomes of subsequent diagnostic tests.

Predictive risk factors for pneumothorax after transbronchial biopsy using endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath

BackgroundPneumothorax is one complication of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS-TBB). We sought to clarify the risk factors for pneumothorax after EBUS-GS-TBB under fluoroscopic guidance.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed data from 916 patients who underwent EBUS-GS-TBB at Fujita Health University Hospital. We evaluated the following risk factors for pneumothorax after EBUS-GS-TBB: patient characteristics (sex, age, and pulmonary comorbidities); lesion data (location, size, existence of ground-glass opacities [GGOs], pleural involvement, computed tomography [CT] bronchus sign, visibility on fluoroscopy, and EBUS findings); final diagnosis; years of bronchoscopist experience; and guide sheath size. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsAmong the 916 patients, 30 (3.28%) presented with pneumothorax. With a univariate analysis, factors that independently predisposed to pneumothorax included lesions containing GGOs, lesions in sagittal lung segments on fluoroscopy, lesions that were not visible on fluoroscopy, and infectious lesions. A univariate analysis also showed that lesions in the right upper lobe or left upper division, as well as malignant lesions, were less likely to lead to pneumothorax. Age, underlying pulmonary disease, CT bronchus sign, EBUS findings, bronchoscopist experience, and guide sheath size did not influence the incidence of pneumothorax. A multivariate analysis revealed that only lesions containing GGOs (odds ratio [OR] 6.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13–19.6, P = 0.001) and lesions in lung segments with a sagittal orientation on fluoroscopy (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.09–5.58, P = 0.029) were significant risk factors for EBUS-GS-TBB-related pneumothorax.ConclusionsEBUS-GS-TBB of lesions containing GGOs or lesions located in sagittal lung segments on fluoroscopy correlate with a higher pneumothorax risk.

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

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

A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study of Three Guided Bronchoscopic Approaches for Investigating Pulmonary Nodules: The PRECISION-1 Study

The capability of bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPNs) remains limited. Despite decades of effort, evidence suggests that the diagnostic accuracy for electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (EMN) and radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) approach only 50%. New developments in robotic bronchoscopy (RB) may offer improvements in the assessment of PPNs. A prospective single-blinded randomized controlled comparative study to assess success in localization and puncture of PPNs, using an ultrathin bronchoscope with radial EBUS (UTB-rEBUS) vsEMN vsRB in a human cadaver model of PPNs< 2cm, was performed. The primary end point was the ability to successfully localize and puncture the target nodule, verified by cone-beam CT comparing RB and EMN. Secondary end points included needle to target position "miss" distance, and UTB-rEBUS comparisons. Sixty procedures were performed to target 20 PPNs over the study period. Implanted PPNs were distributed across all lobes, with 80%located within the lung periphery. The target PPN mean diameter was 16.5 ± 1.5mm, with 50%noted to have a CT bronchus sign. The rate of successful PPN localization and puncture was superior when using RB, compared with EMN (80%vs45%; P= .02). Among unsuccessful needle passes, the median needle to target "miss" distance was significantly different when comparing UTB-rEBUS, EMN, and RB (P= .0014). In a cadaver model, use of RB significantly increased the ability to localize and successfully puncture small PPNs when compared with existing technologies. This study demonstrates the potential of RB to precisely reach, localize, and puncture small nodules in the periphery of the lung.

First Human Use of a New Robotic-Assisted Fiber Optic Sensing Navigation System for Small Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules

Background: We tested a new, investigational robotic-assisted bronchoscope system with a remotely controlled catheter to access small peripheral bronchi with real-time driving under live visualization and distal tip articulation of the catheter. The unique catheter remains stationary once located at the biopsy position. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new shape-sensing robotic bronchoscope system to bronchoscopically approach and facilitate the sampling of small peripheral pulmonary nodules of 1–3 cm. Secondary objectives included evaluating procedural characteristics and early performance trends associated with the use of the new robotic bronchoscope system. Methods: Subjects were enrolled according to study eligibility criteria at a single center. Navigation pathways were semi-automatically created using pre-procedure CT scans. Simultaneous (real-time) viewing of actual and virtual bronchi was used real time during navigation to the displayed target. An endobronchial ultrasound mini-probe was used to confirm lesion location. Flexible 19- to 23-G needles specifically designed to accommodate tight bend radii in transbronchial needle aspiration were used along with conventional biopsy tools. Enrolled subjects completed follow-up visits up to 6 months after the procedure. Results: The study included 29 subjects with a mean lesion size of 12.2 ± 4.2, 12.3 ± 3.3, and 11.7 ± 4.1 mm in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes, respectively. The CT bronchus sign was absent in 41.4% of cases. In 96.6% of cases, the target was reached, and samples were obtained. No device-related adverse events and no instances of pneumothorax or excessive bleeding were observed during the procedure. Early performance trends demonstrated an overall diagnostic yield of 79.3% and a diagnostic yield for malignancy of 88%. Conclusion: This new robotic-assisted bronchoscope system safely navigated to very small peripheral airways under continuous visualization, and through maintenance of a static position, it provides a unique sampling capability for the biopsy of small solitary pulmonary nodules.

Computed Tomography Bronchus Sign and the Diagnostic Yield of Guided Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Indeterminate peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) often require tissue diagnosis. If nonsurgical biopsy techniques are considered, deciding between bronchoscopic transbronchial versus computed tomography-guided transthoracic biopsy can be difficult. The former has a low diagnostic yield with a low complication risk, whereas the latter has a better diagnostic yield but a higher complication rate. Investigators have looked at various lesion characteristics that can predict the diagnostic yield of guided bronchoscopic biopsies. Although consensus exists that larger size and proximity to the hilum increase the diagnostic yield, there is ongoing debate about the association between computed tomography bronchus sign (air-filled bronchus in close proximity of the lesion as seen on computed tomography imaging) and the diagnostic yield of guided bronchoscopic modalities. To perform a meta-analysis and systematic review, determining the association between computed tomography bronchus sign and the diagnostic yield of guided bronchoscopy for PPLs. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched in January 2018 for guided bronchoscopy studies that had assessed the impact of computed tomography bronchus sign on the diagnostic yield. The quality of included studies was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed using MedCalc (version 18). Odds ratios were used to compare yield of lesions with and without bronchus sign. Random effects model was used when significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 > 40%). For 2,199 lesions with computed tomography bronchus sign, the overall weighted diagnostic yield was 74.1% (95% confidence interval, 68.3-79.5%). For 971 lesions without computed tomography bronchus sign, the overall weighted diagnostic yield was 49.6% (95% confidence interval, 39.6-59.5%). The odds ratio for successfully diagnosing a lesion with computed tomography bronchus sign was 3.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.4-5.0). Possible sources of heterogeneity in the meta-analysis included differences in study designs, guidance modalities, and cancer prevalence. The odds ratio for successfully diagnosing a lesion with computed tomography bronchus sign was relatively lower for prospective studies. PPLs with computed tomography bronchus sign are more likely to be diagnosed with guided bronchoscopy than the lesions without computed tomography bronchus sign. Clinicians should consider this, along with the lesion size and distance from the hilum, when contemplating guided bronchoscopy for PPLs.

SC19.01 Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: Multimodal Devices for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions

SC19.01 Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: Multimodal Devices for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions

Transbronchial needle aspiration in peripheral pulmonary lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fluoroscopy-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has long been used in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs), although its diagnostic performance varies considerably.We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the accuracy of TBNA in the diagnosis of PPLs, comparing its diagnostic yield with transbronchial biopsy (TBB) and assessing the main predictors of a successful aspirate.In 18 studies, the overall TBNA yield was 0.53 (95% CI 0.44-0.61). TBNA showed a higher accuracy when directly compared to TBB (0.60 (95% CI 0.49-0.71) versus 0.45 (95% CI 0.37-0.54)). The subgroup analyses documented a higher TBNA yield when the computed tomography (CT) bronchus sign was present (0.70 (95% CI 0.63-0.77) versus 0.51 (95% CI 0.38-0.64)), when rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was performed (0.62 (95% CI 0.43-0.79) versus 0.51 (95% CI 0.42-0.60)), in the case of malignant lesions (0.55 (95% CI 0.44-0.66) versus 0.17 (95% CI 0.11-0.24)) and for lesions >3 cm (0.81 (95% CI 0.73-0.87) versus 0.55 (95% CI 0.47-0.63)).Conventional TBNA is a useful sampling technique for the diagnosis of PPL, with a higher diagnostic yield than TBB. The presence of CT bronchus sign, an underlying malignant process, lesion size >3 cm and ROSE employment are predictors of a higher yield.

Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Lesions via Conventional Flexible Bronchoscopy with Multiplanar CT Planning.

Background. Conventional flexible bronchoscopy has limited sensitivity in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions and is dependent on lesion size. However, advancement of CT imaging offers multiplanar reconstruction facilitating enhanced preprocedure planning. This study aims to report efficacy and safety while considering the impact of patient selection and multiplanar CT planning. Method. Prospective case series of patients with peripheral lung lesions suspected of having lung cancer who underwent flexible bronchoscopy (forceps biopsy and lavage). Endobronchial lesions were excluded. Patients with negative results underwent CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration, surgical biopsy, or clinical-radiological surveillance to establish the final diagnosis. Results. 226 patients were analysed. The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy was 80.1% (181/226) with a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 100%. In patients with a positive CT-Bronchus sign, the diagnostic yield was 82.4% compared to 72.8% with negative CT-Bronchus sign (p = 0.116). Diagnostic yield was 84.9% in lesions > 20 mm and 63.0% in lesions ≤ 20 mm (p = 0.001). Six (2.7%) patients had transient hypoxia and 2 (0.9%) had pneumothorax. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusion. Flexible bronchoscopy with appropriate patient selection and preprocedure planning is more efficacious in obtaining a diagnosis in peripheral lung lesions compared to historical data. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01374542.

Factors Affecting the Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchial Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasonography with a Guide Sheath in Peripheral Lung Cancer.

Objective Endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) and virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) improves the diagnostic yield in patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Most previous reports on EBUS-GS-guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) have included patients with benign and malignant diseases. We aimed to determine the factors that predicted a successful diagnosis by EBUS-GS-guided TBB diagnostic in patients with small peripheral lung cancer, with a focus on the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings before bronchoscopy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 173 consecutive patients with 175 small (≤30 mm) PPLs who were diagnosed with primary lung cancer between June 2010 and October 2013 at Nagoya University Hospital. All patients underwent EBUS-GS-guided TBB with VBN using a ZioStation computer workstation (Ziosoft, Osaka, Japan). We analyzed the patient characteristics, HRCT findings, diagnostic yield, and the diagnostic factors in small peripheral lung carcinoma. Results The EBUS probe position was within the PPL in 83 of the 175 lesions (47%) and 112 (64.0%) cases were successfully diagnosed by EBUS-GS-guided TBB. A univariate analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with a significantly higher diagnostic yield: CT bronchus sign positivity, a lesion of >20 mm in diameter, a solid nodule, and a probe position that was within the lesion. The following factors were not significant: the lesion location, the number of biopsies, and the lung cancer histology. A multivariate analysis revealed that the following factors significantly affected the diagnostic yield: CT bronchus sign positivity [odds ratio (OR) =2.479]; a probe position that was within the lesion (OR=2.542); and a solid nodule (OR=2.304). Conclusion The significant factors that were significantly associated with a successful diagnosis using EBUS-GS-guided TBB in small peripheral lung carcinoma were as follows: CT bronchus sign positivity, a solid nodule, and a probe position that was within the lesion.

Impact of a CT Bronchus Sign in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Nodules With Peripheral/Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Transbronchial Biopsy

Impact of a CT Bronchus Sign in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Nodules With Peripheral/Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound Guided Transbronchial Biopsy

Year in review 2010: Interstitial lung diseases, acute lung injury, sleep, physiology, imaging, bronchoscopic intervention and lung cancer

Year in review 2010: Interstitial lung diseases, acute lung injury, sleep, physiology, imaging, bronchoscopic intervention and lung cancer