Peripheral Lung Lesions Research Articles

Diagnostic value of rEBUS-TBLB combined distance measurement method based on ultrasound images in bronchoscopy for peripheral lung lesions

Traditional imaging methods have limitations in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of the distance measurement method based on ultrasound image-based inverted electrostrain (rEBUS) combined with thoracoscopic lung biopsy (TBLB) for peripheral lung lesions. A group of patients with peripheral lung lesions were recruited for the study, and rEBUS examination was performed simultaneously during TBLB. Using rEBUS ultrasound images combined with electrostrain information, evaluate the morphological characteristics of peripheral lung lesions and the elastic properties of internal tissues. By comparing with pathological examination results, both rEBUS-D-TBLB and rEBUS-GS-TBLB have a higher positive diagnostic rate for PPL under bronchoscopy. However, rEBUS-D-TBLB is more effective in diagnosing benign PPL with ≥ 3cm PPL than rEBUS-GS-TBLB. The rEBUS-TBLB combined ranging method has shown high accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosing peripheral lung lesions. Ultrasound images provide clear morphological features of the tumor, while the electrical strain information of rEBUS provides elastic information of the internal tissue of the tumor, further improving the accuracy of diagnosis.

Clinical utility of bedside Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of pneumonia in elderly patients: Comparison with clinical, -radiological and ultrasound diagnosis.

to measure the clinical impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of -community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), compared to clinical, radiological and ultrasound diagnosis. 84 patients (47/37 males/females, mean age:78,57±11,7 Y) with clinical suspicion of pneumonia and with ultrasound findings of peripheral lung lesions, were investigated with CEUS for a better characterization. Final diagnosis of 65 cap was obtained with complete disappearance of symptoms and pulmonary nodule(s); 19 neoplasms: 16 patients performed histologically with bronchoscopy; 3 refused (non-invasive diagnosis with basal CT-scan and positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)). Sensitivity, specificity, overall diagnostic accuracy (ODA) (and corresponding AUROC) of clinical-data (CD), chest X-ray(CXR), Lung-ultrasound(LUS), CEUS were calculated with SPSS 26.0 software. Final diagnosis: 65 CAP, and 19 chest cancers. 9/65 (13%) patients died, of these 7/9 with older age and heart disease as comorbidity. CD: True-Positive (TP):23, True-negative (TN): 17; False-Positive (FP):2; False-negative (FN):42 (sens:35,4% spec:89,5% ODA10%: PPV:92%, NPV:28,8%) (AUROC±SEauc:0,46±0,076); CXR: TP: 36, TN:14; FP:5, FN:29; (sens: 55,4%; spec: 73,7%; ODA: 32%; PPV:87,5%, NPV:32,66%) (AUROC±SEauc:0,645±0,068). US: TP:59; TN: 14; FP:5, FN:6 (sens: 90,8%, spec: 73,7%, ODA: 84,9%, PPV:92,2%, NPV:70%) (AUROC±SEauc:0,9417±0,024); CEUS: TP: 63; TN: 19; FP:0; FN:2 (sens: 96,9%; spec: 100% ODA: 97,5%; PPV: 100%, NPV:90,5%) (AUROC±SEauc:0,98±0,01). Clinical-data and chest X-RAYS are insufficient to obtain a correct diagnosis of CAP in elderly population; US demonstrated a good accuracy to establish CAP, but with a relatively low specificity; in these cases, CEUS is able to give a correct characterization, allowing you to save the need for a chest contrast-enhanced-CT (CECT).

Efficacy and safety of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsy for peripheral lung lesions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with frequent complications after transthoracic biopsy. Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP-EBUS-TBLB) is widely used to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). However, the efficacy and safety of this procedure for the diagnosis of PPLs in patients with COPD remain poorly understood. We investigated the usefulness of RP-EBUS-TBLB for diagnosing PPLs in patients with COPD. This retrospective observational study aimed to identify clinical outcomes of RP-EBUS-TBLB in patients with COPD. A total of 175 patients with COPD and 439 patients without COPD were included in this study. RP-EBUS-TBLB was performed without fluoroscopy using a guide sheath. The overall diagnostic accuracies in patients with COPD and without COPD were 80.6% (141/175) and 78.8% (346/439), respectively. There was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield based on the severity of airflow limitation (80.0%, 81.4%, and 79.2% for mild, moderate, and severe to very airflow limitations, respectively; P=0.97). In patients with COPD, diagnostic yields for malignant and benign lesions were 85.6% (95/111) and 71.9% (46/64). In multivariable analyses, larger lesion size [≥30 mm; odds ratio (OR), 2.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-7.45; P=0.03] and within the lesion on EBUS image (OR 9.29; 95% CI: 3.79-22.79; P<0.001) were associated with diagnostic success in patients with COPD, whereas lesion location of upper lobe (OR, 0.36; 95% CI: 0.14-0.92; P=0.03) were associated with diagnostic failure. The overall complication rate in our study was 7.4% (13/175) in patients with COPD. Pneumothorax occurred in 4.6% (8/175), and chest tube insertion was needed in 1.7% (3/175) of the patients. RP-EBUS-TBLB can be used as an appropriate method to diagnose PPLs in patients with COPD. The size of the lesion (≥30 mm) and having the probe within the lesion were important for successful diagnosis. The location of the lesion in the upper lobe is associated with diagnostic failure. No difference was observed in the diagnostic yield based on the severity of airflow limitation. The complication rates were acceptable.

Value of ultrathin bronchoscope in improving the endobronchial ultrasound localization rate and diagnosing peripheral pulmonary nodules by cryobiopsy

BackgroundA 3.0-mm ultrathin bronchoscope (UTB) with a 1.7-mm working channel provides better accessibility to peripheral bronchi. A 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope with a larger 2.0-mm working channel facilitates the use of a guide sheath (GS), ensuring repeated sampling from the same location. The 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe has a smaller diameter, overcoming the limitation of the size of biopsy instruments used with UTB. In this study, we compared the endobronchial ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield of peripheral lung lesions by cryobiopsy using UTB and thin bronchoscopy combined with GS.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 133 patients with peripheral pulmonary lesions with a diameter less than 30 mm who underwent bronchoscopy with either thin bronchoscope or UTB from May 2019 to May 2023. A 3.0-mm UTB combined with rEBUS was used in the UTB group, whereas a 4.0-mm thin bronchoscope combined with rEBUS and GS was used for the thin bronchoscope group. A 1.1-mm ultrathin cryoprobe was used for cryobiopsy in the two groups.ResultsAmong the 133 patients, peripheral pulmonary nodules in 85 subjects were visualized using r-EBUS. The ultrasound localization rate was significantly higher in the UTB group than in the thin bronchoscope group (96.0% vs. 44.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy specimens from the UTB group was significantly higher compared to the thin bronchoscope group (54.0% vs. 30.1%, respectively; p = 0.006). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the cryobiopsy diagnostic yields of the UTB group were significantly higher for lesions ≤ 20 mm, benign lesions, upper lobe lesions, lesions located lateral one-third from the hilum, and lesions without bronchus sign.ConclusionsUltrathin bronchoscopy combined with cryobiopsy has a superior ultrasound localization rate and diagnostic yield compared to a combination of cryobiopsy and thin bronchoscopy.

Chinese expert consensus on the pathological diagnosis of interstitial lung disease with transbronchial lung cryobiopsy specimens

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is an applicable technique that can provide a histologic diagnosis of interstitial lung disease(ILD). The general sample size of TBLC is much smaller than that of surgical lung biopsy (SLB), which raises more concerns about the procedure's diagnostic accuracy. A guiding consensus and guidelines on the pathological procedure of ILD with TBLC are required to better guide pathologists in diagnostic practice. The Respiratory Pathology Working Group of the Respiratory Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Thoracic Diseases Group of the Pathological Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, jointly organized by experts, have worked together to discuss and formulated the consensus. The consensus is based on literature review, clinical practice, collection of clinical issues, and discussion during a series of meetings. Experts approved the final proposed consensus with more than 70% of votes in favor (Delphi). The consensus summarized the delivery requirements, quality evaluation and artificial phenomena of TBLC specimens. It also proposed the diagnostic principles and procedures, types of ILD corresponding to major pathological changes, and major corresponding differential diagnoses of TBLC specimens. Finally, the consensus formed 14 recommendations for clinical diagnosis and multidisciplinary discussion.The recommendations are addressed as follows.Recommendation 1: We suggest that the TBLC clinical manipulators should observe and measure the size of the specimen in time. The specimen size should be greater than 5 mm in diameter, and multiple pieces(3 to 5 pieces)are recommended.Recommendation 2: Pathologists should record the number of blocks of tissue submitted for examination and the volume, color, and texture of each specimen. Evaluation of the proportion of alveolar parenchyma/airway components under the microscope, analysis of the type and distribution of lesions will facilitate making diagnostic suggestions.Recommendation 3: The size of TBLC specimens is significantly smaller than SLB and may not show sufficient features of ILD or secondary changes. It is more necessary to combine the evaluation of clinical changes and lesion distribution assessed by HRCT for a comprehensive diagnosis.Recommendation 4: Common microscopic artefacts of TBLC specimen are mass of red blood cells, proteinaceous fluid and fibrin exudation. In the absence of hemosiderin cells or clinical signs of hemoptysis symptoms, the diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhagic disease should be considered with caution.Recommendation 5: TBLC is not a suggested diagnosis when the pathological changes are mainly located in the pleural or subpleural lung tissues, e.g., pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis.Recommendation 6: The principle of pathological diagnosis of ILD in TBLC is consistent with SLB, with a description of the main pathological morphological change and a tendentious pathological diagnosis; if the lesion is not fully shown, only a pathological description is given.Recommendation 7: A well-sampled TBLC specimen may show patchy fibrosis and fibroblast foci in UIP, supporting a pathological diagnosis of a probable UIP pattern. TBLC may not display sufficient features of the distribution of subpleural and peripheral lung lesions in UIP, as well as secondary lesions.Recommendation 8: TBLC specimens show diffuse inflammation and fibrosis with well-preserved lung tissue structure, which may support a pathological diagnosis of NSIP; if the distribution of lesions and lung tissue structure are difficult to evaluate, it is recommended that a pathological diagnosis of fibrotic ILD or cellular ILD be made.Recommendation 9: TBLC specimens may show pathological features of NSIP accompanied by organization, but it is difficult to accurately evaluate the proportion of organization area. In this scenario, a descriptive diagnosis of NSIP accompanied by organization is suggested.Recommendation 10: It is recommended to diagnose organizing pneumonia if only distal airway organization is present in TBLC; in addition to organization, if pathological histology is accompanied by obvious interstitial fibrosis and lung tissue remodelling, granuloma formation, obvious neutrophil infiltration or accompanied with abscess formation, obvious eosinophil infiltration, tissue necrosis, hyaline membrane formation or vasculitis, secondary OP should be considered.Recommendation 11: It is recommended to diagnose acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) if lesions on TBLC show features of organizing pneumonia and fibrin balls.Recommendation 12: A diagnosis of smoking-related ILD (RB-ILD or DIP) is suggested when a good sampling of TBLC shows a significant accumulation of histocytes or smoker's macrophages in the alveolar spaces, and without specific changes sufficient for other diagnoses. If the lesions are confined to the lumen of respiratory bronchioles and the immediate peribronchiolar airspaces, RB-ILD is supported; if the distribution is diffuse, DIP should be considered. If it is difficult to determine the distribution of the lesions, it is necessary to integrate clinical and chest CT imaging findings to differentiate RB-ILD from DIP.Recommendation 13: A well-sampled TBLC specimen can display the pathological features of DAD and then also support such a pathological diagnosis.Recommendation 14: Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) should show diffuse lymphocyte infiltration and lymphoid follicle formation in the lung interstitium in TBLC specimens. It is recommended that chest CT imaging be combined to determine whether the lesion is diffuse to differentiate from other lymphoproliferative diseases.

Diagnosis of peripheral cavitary squamous cell lung carcinoma with Aspergillus infection using LungPro navigation system: a case report

Virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) is increasingly being used to diagnose peripheral lung lesions, allowing precise guidance of the bronchoscope to the target lesions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. This paper reported a patient admitted due to hemoptysis, with an initial clinical diagnosis of squamous cell lung carcinoma with brain and bone metastases. Previous attempts had failed to obtain tissue samples from the lung lesions. Upon admission, the LungPro navigation system was used to perform a bronchoscopic transparenchymal nodule access (BTPNA). Pathological examination of the lung tissue and microbiological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral cavitary squamous cell lung carcinoma with Aspergillus infection. Following antifungal and antineoplastic treatment, the patient's symptoms improved markedly and she was subsequently discharged.

Accuracy and efficacy of Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopic fine needle aspiration of lung lesions

The Ion Endoluminal Platform (ION) (IEPI Intuitive, Sunnyvale, CA), a minimally invasive robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform, was recently US Food and Drug Administration approved for the performance of fine needle aspirations (FNAs) and biopsies of peripheral lung lesions. Rapid on-site intraoperative diagnosis (IOD) of FNAs and/or frozen section of biopsies help surgeons confirm adequate sampling of the targeted lesion and allow definitive treatment in selected cases. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with all FNAs of lung lesions sampled by interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons using Ion from September 2020 to December 2022. IOD rendered during adequacy assessment were compared with final cytology diagnoses (Cyto-FD) and the ultimate final diagnoses (U-FD). The U-FD was based on the sum of all clinical, imaging, cytologic, and histologic diagnoses of the lung lesion which the clinical team used to treat the patient. The IOD and Cyto-FD were concordant in 62% of the 423 lesions that underwent intraoperative evaluation, yielding a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 99% for malignancy. The Cyto-FD and U-FD were concordant in 51% of the lesions with a sensitivity and specificity for malignancy of 66% and 100%, respectively. IODs rendered during Ion were highly accurate but only moderately sensitive for a diagnosis of malignancy.

STRILL: Phase I Trial Evaluating Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Dose Escalation for Re-Irradiation of Inoperable Peripheral Lung Lesions.

Few data are available on the role of SBRT re-irradiation for isolated recurrences. We designed a prospective phase I study to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of SBRT for thoracic re-irradiation, for peripheral lung lesions. RT was delivered with a dose escalation design from 30 Gy in five fractions up to 50 Gy in five fractions. The primary end point was the definition of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of SBRT for thoracic re-irradiation. The dose-limiting toxicity was pneumonia ≥G3. Fifteen patients were enrolled. No cases of pneumonia ≥G3 occurred in any of our cohorts. Only one patient developed pneumonia G1 during treatment. Three patients developed acute toxicities that included dyspnea G1, cardiac failure G3, and chest wall pain. One patient developed G3 late toxicity with acute coronary syndrome. After a median follow-up of 21 months (range 3.6-29.1 months), six patients (40%) had a local relapse. Distant relapse occurred in five patients (33.3%). At the last follow-up, six patients died, all but two due to progressive disease. SBRT dose escalation for thoracic re-irradiation is an effective and well-tolerated option for patients with inoperable lung lesions after a first thoracic RT with acceptable acute and late toxicities.

Evaluating the efficacy of percutaneous puncture biopsy guided by contrast-enhanced ultrasound for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

The incidence and mortality of lung cancer have increased annually. Accurate diagnosis can help improve therapeutic efficacy of interventions and prognosis. Percutaneous lung biopsy is a reliable method for the clinical diagnosis of lung cancer. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung biopsy technology has been widely promoted and applied in recent years. To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided percutaneous biopsy in peripheral pulmonary lesions. We retrospectively collected data on 237 patients with peripheral thoracic focal lesions who underwent puncture biopsy at Wuxi People's Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: The CEUS-guided before lesion puncture group (contrast group) and conventional ultrasound-guided group (control group). Analyze the diagnostic efficacy of the puncture biopsy, impact of tumor size, and number of puncture needles and complications were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Accurate pathological results were obtained for 92.83% (220/237) of peripheral lung lesions during the first biopsy, with an accuracy rate of 95.8% (113/118) in the contrast group and 89.9% (107/119) in the control group. The difference in the area under the curve (AUC) between the contrast and the control groups was not statistically significant (0.952 vs 0.902, respectively; P > 0.05). However, when the lesion diameter ≥ 5 cm, the diagnostic AUC of the contrast group was higher than that of the control group (0.952 vs 0.902, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, the average number of puncture needles in the contrast group was lower than that in the control group (2.58 ± 0.53 vs 2.90 ± 0.56, respectively; P < 0.05). CEUS guidance can enhance the efficiency of puncture biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions, especially for lesions with a diameter ≥ 5 cm. Therefore, CEUS guidance has high clinical diagnostic value in puncture biopsy of peripheral focal lung lesions.

Coverage with evidence development program on stereotactic body radiotherapy in Belgium (2013–2019): a nationwide registry-based prospective study

Although stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) was progressively adopted in clinical practice in Belgium, a reimbursement request in 2011 was not granted because of remaining clinical and economic uncertainty. Acoverage with evidence development (CED) program on SBRT started in 2013, with the aim to assess clinical and technical patterns-of-care in Belgium and monitor survival per indication, in view of supporting inclusion in the reimbursement system. The Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI) initiated this prospective observational registry. Participating departments, using SBRT in clinical practice, signed the 'NIHDI convention'. Eligible patients had a primary tumour (PT) or oligometastatic disease (OMD). Patient, tumour, and treatment characteristics were collected through an online module of the Belgian Cancer Registry, prerequisite for financing. Five-year overall survival (5YOS) and 30- and 90-days mortality were primary outcomes, derived from vital status information. Between 10/2013 and 12/2019, 20 of the 24 accredited radiotherapy departments participated, 6 were academic. Registered cases per department ranged from 21 to 867. Of 5675 registrations analysed, the majority had good performance status and limited number of lesions. Enrolment of PTs remained stable over time, OMDs almost doubled. Peripheral lung lesions dominated in PTs as in OMDs. Other metastases were (para)spinal, 'non-standard' and hepatic. Thirty- and 90-days mortalities remained below 0.5% [95% CI 0.3%-0.8%] respectively 2.1% [95% CI 1.6%-2.7%]. 5YOS varied by indication, primary prostate patients performing best (85%, 95% CI [76%, 96%]), those with liver metastases worst (19%, 95% CI [15%, 24%]). Better OS was observed in academic departments, department size did not significantly impact survival. OMD survival was better in 2018-19. CED can be used to define patterns-of-care and real-life outcome of innovative radiotherapy. As the observed survival for different indications was in line with outcome in emerging literature, SBRT was included in the Belgian reimbursement system as of January2020. NIHDI financed participating departments per registered case.

Incremental Application of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure for the Evaluation of Atelectasis During RP-EBUS and Bronchoscopy (I-APPEAR).

CT-to-body divergence-described as the difference between preprocedural CT scans and intraprocedural lung architecture-is a significant barrier to improving diagnostic yield during navigational bronchoscopy. A major proposed contributor to CT-to-body divergence is the development of atelectasis, which can confound visualization of peripheral lung lesions via radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS). High positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) ventilatory strategies have been used to decrease atelectasis, allowing the lesion to re-APPEAR on intraprocedure imaging. However, standardized PEEP levels may not be appropriate for all patients due to hemodynamic and ventilatory impacts. We performed a multicenter, prospective observational study in which patients were imaged with RP-EBUS under general anesthesia to determine if subsegmental atelectasis would resolve as incremental increases in PEEP were applied. Resolution of atelectasis was based on the transition from a non-aerated pattern to an aerated appearance on RP-EBUS. RP-EBUS images were reviewed by 3 experienced operators to determine correlation. Forty-three patients underwent RP-EBUS examination following navigational bronchoscopy. Thirty-seven patients underwent incremental PEEP application and subsequent RP-EBUS imaging. Atelectasis was determined to have resolved in 33 patients (88.2%) following increased PEEP. The intraclass correlation coefficient between reviewers was 0.76. A recruitment maneuver was performed in 7 (16.3%) patients after atelectasis persisted at maximal PEEP. Atelectasis was not identified in the examined subsegments in 6 (10.8%) patients despite zero PEEP. RP-EBUS is an effective tool to monitor what pressure atelectasis within a lung segment has resolved with increasing levels of PEEP.

Diagnostic utility of adding needle aspiration (using PeriView FLEX needle) to radial endobronchial ultrasound guide sheath transbronchial lung biopsy: a single center retrospective study.

Radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) guide sheath (GS) transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) improves the diagnostic yield of peripheral lung lesions (PLL). However, its diagnostic yield is approximately 60%. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of adding rEBUS GS transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) using PeriView FLEX needle (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) to rEBUS GS TBLB. In this retrospective study, we initially screened 124 PLLs in 123 patients who underwent rEBUS GS procedures for PLLs from December 2020 to August 2021. The analysis was performed on 74 PLLs in 73 patients who underwent both rEBUS GS TBLB and TBNA. PLLs showed the following characteristics: lesion size [mean ± standard deviation (SD)], 24±12 mm; nature (solid vs. subsolid), 59 (79.7%) vs. 15 (20.3%); distance from the pleura (mean ± SD), 14±14 mm; rEBUS visualization type (probe within PLL vs. probe adjacent to PLL), 56 (75.7%) vs. 18 (24.3%). Among 74 PLLs, 47 (63.5%) were successfully diagnosed by rEBUS GS TBLB. In 27 PLLs not diagnosed by rEBUS GS TBLB, 5 (18.5%) were further diagnosed by rEBUS GS TBNA [overall diagnostic yield: 70.3% (52/74)]. EBUS visualization type of "probe adjacent to PLL" was a significant factor associated with the diagnostic yield of additional rEBUS GS TBNA. In rEBUS GS procedures for PLLs, the diagnostic yield might be improved by implementing TBNA in addition to TBLB. In particular, additional TBNA is preferable if the probe is adjacent to the lesion rather than within the lesion on rEBUS.

Optimal approach for diagnosing peripheral lung nodules by combining electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) are essential bronchoscopic procedures for diagnosing peripheral lung lesions. Despite their individual advantages, the optimal circumstances for their combination remain uncertain. This single-center retrospective study enrolled 473 patients with 529 pulmonary nodules who underwent ENB and/or RP-EBUS biopsies between December 2021 and December 2022. Diagnostic yield was calculated using strict, intermediate, and liberal definitions. In the strict definition, only malignant and specific benign lesions were deemed diagnostic at the time of the index procedure. The intermediate and liberal definitions included additional results from the follow-up period. The diagnostic yield of the strict definition was not statistically different among the three groups (ENB/Combination/RP-EBUS 63.8%/64.2%/62.6%, p = 0.944). However, the diagnostic yield was superior in the ENB + RP-EBUS group for nodules with a bronchus type II or III and a solid part <20 mm (odds ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.09-3.53, p = 0.02). In terms of complications, bleeding was significantly higher in the ENB + RP-EBUS group (ENB/Combination/RP-EBUS 3.7% /6.2/0.6%, p = 0.002), but no major adverse event was observed. The combination of ENB and RP-EBUS enhanced the diagnostic yield for nodules with bronchus type II or III and solid part <20 mm, despite a slightly elevated risk of bleeding. Careful patient selection based on nodule characteristics is important to benefit from this combined approach.

Ultrathin Bronchoscopy Without Virtual Navigation for Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Lesions

BackgroundThe increasing incidence of encountering lung nodules necessitates an ongoing search for improved diagnostic procedures. Various bronchoscopic technologies have been introduced or are in development, but further studies are needed to define a method that fits best in clinical practice and health care systems.Research questionHow do basic bronchoscopic tools including a combination of thin (outer diameter 4.2 mm) and ultrathin bronchoscopes (outer diameter 3.0 mm), radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS) and fluoroscopy perform in peripheral pulmonary lesion diagnosis?Study Design and MethodsThis is a retrospective review of the performance of peripheral bronchoscopy using thin and ultrathin bronchoscopy with rEBUS and 2D fluoroscopy without a navigational system for evaluating peripheral lung lesions in a single academic medical center from 11/2015 to 1/2021. We used a strict definition for diagnostic yield and assessed the impact of different variables on diagnostic yield, specifically after employment of the ultrathin bronchoscope. Logistic regression models were employed to assess the independent associations of the most impactful variables.ResultsA total of 322 patients were included in this study. The median of the long axis diameter was 2.2 cm and the median distance of the center of the lesion from the visceral pleural surface was 1.9 cm. Overall diagnostic yield was 81.3% after employment of the ultrathin bronchoscope, with more detection of concentric rEBUS views (93% vs. 78%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity for detecting malignancy also increased from 60.5% to 74.7% (p = 0.033) after incorporating the ultrathin scope into practice, while bronchus sign and peripheral location of the lesion were not found to affect diagnostic yield. Concentric rEBUS view, solid appearance, upper/middle lobe location and larger size of the nodules were found to be independent predictors of successful achievement of diagnosis at bronchoscopy.Interpretation: This study demonstrates a high diagnostic yield of biopsy of lung lesions achieved by utilization of thin and ultrathin bronchoscopes. Direct visualization of small peripheral airways with simultaneous rEBUS confirmation increased localization rate of small lesions in a conventional bronchoscopy setting without virtual navigational planning.

Assessing the accuracy of a multisection robotic bronchoscope prototype in localization and targeting of small pulmonary lesions

ObjectivesRobotic bronchoscopy (RB) has emerged as a novel technique to address issues with the biopsy of small peripheral lung lesions. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the accuracy of a novel multisection robotic bronchoscope compared with current standards of care. MethodsThis is a prospective, single-blind, comparative study where the accuracy of a multisection RB was compared against the accuracy of standard electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (EM-NB) during lesion localization and targeting. Five blinded subjects of varying bronchoscopy experience were recruited to use both RB and EM-NB in a swine lung model. Accuracy of localization and targeting success was measured as the distance from the center of pulmonary targets at each anatomic location. Subjects used both RB and EM-NB to navigate to 4 pulmonary targets assigned using 1:1 block randomization. Differences in accuracy and time between navigation systems were assessed using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. ResultsOf the 40 total attempts per modality, successful targeting was achieved on 90% and 85% of attempts utilizing RB and EM-NB, respectively. Furthermore, RB demonstrated significantly lower median distance to the real-time EM target (1.1 mm; interquartile range [IQR], 0.6-2.0 mm) compared with EM-NB (2.6 mm; IQR, 1.6-3.8) (P < .001). Median target displacement resulting from lung and bronchus deformation during bronchoscopy was found to be significantly lower using RB (0.8 mm; IQR, 0.5-1.2 mm) compared with EM-NB (2.6 mm; IQR, 1.4-6.4 mm) (P < .001). ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that the multi-section RB prototype allows for improved localization and targeting of small peripheral lung nodules compared with current nonrobot bronchoscopy modalities.

Evaluation of the radial endosonographic image of peripheral lung lesions for choosing the bronchobiopsies in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis, mycobacteriosis and malignancy

Objective. To evaluate endosonographic images (EGI) for different peripheral lung lesions (PPLs) genesis, to identify patterns of malignancy in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), mycobacteriosis (NTM), malignancy neoplasm, to compare the main combinations of variants of the echo characteristics of lung lesions visualized during rEBUS navigation with the data of a comprehensive microbiological, cytological and morphological studies. Methods. A cohort retrospective study included 145 patients (81 women (mean age 44.94±0.24 years) and 64 men (mean age 47.91±0.24)), with newly diagnosed PPLs and with negative sputum TB tests, who underwent diagnostic navigational bronchoscopy (rEBUS) and surgical diagnostics, and EGI of PPLs was visualized with rEBUS. Depending on the final verification, were endosonographic images divided into 2 groups: the Neo group (n=63), whose biopsy (during bronchoscopic or surgical diagnosis) verified the malignancy PPls, and the TB+NTM group (n=82) – infectious PPLs caused by mycobacterial infection (73 cases – pulmonary TB, 9 cases – mycobacteriosis). Results. It was established that differences were statistically significant in shape, contour/border, and the presence of inclusions (linear arcs, zones of hypo-anechogenesis) between the comparison groups. If there are echoic features of malignancy PPLs on EGI with rEBUS (irregular shape (found in 60,3%), lobulated shape (in 17,4%), visualized but blurred contour (in 57.2%), fuzzy/poorly visualized contour (in 25.4%), heteroechoic structure, with “linear arcs” (49.2%) with an air bronchogram (in 36,5%)), tissue bronchobiopsy (brush and TBBL) are priority for cytological and histological examination. If there are echoic features of delimited infectious inflammation on EGI of PPLs in rEBUS (round or oval shape (found in 34.1% of cases), definite, closed contour (in 78.0%), homoechoic structure (29,3%), heteroechoic structure with zones of hypo-anechoicity (in 32.9%) with an air bronchogram (in 23.2%)), bronchobiopsy is a priority, allowing to cover the largest area of the lungs (BAL) for microbiological examination (microscopy, PCR-RT, culture) in combination with tissue biopsy (cytological examination). A classification has been created that includes 3 types of EGI to determine rational approaches to bronchobiopsy for the purpose of differential diagnosis of TB, mycobacteriosis and neoplasia. Conclusions. The use of EGI of PPLs assessment during bronchoscopy with rEBUS navigation determines rational approaches to the complex of navigational bronchobiopsies in the differential diagnosis of TB, mycobacteriosis and malignant processes.

Complications due to ultrasound transthoracic cutting biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions and lesions in the chest wall and mediastinum.

Evaluation of patients with peripheral lung lesions and lesions of the chest wall and mediastinum is challenging. The nature of the lesion identified by imaging studies can be determined by histological evaluation of biopsies. An important place in this direction is the ever-increasing popularity among thoracic surgeons of the transthoracic biopsy with a cutting needle under ultrasound control (US-TTCNB).

The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Differential Diagnosis of Malignant and Benign Subpleural Lung Lesions.

Background: The application of transthoracic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to the study of peripheral lung lesions is still a topic of debate. The main objective of this review was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of malignant subpleural pulmonary consolidations and, therefore, differentiate them from benign ones. Methods: Papers published before December 2023 were detected through a search of PubMed, Cochrane library, and Embase. The pooled specificity and sensitivity, summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were used. Results: CEUS is characterized by a pooled sensitivity of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93-0.97) and a pooled specificity of 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.95) in differentiating benign and malignant subpleural lung diseases; the AUC of SROC was 0.97. Homogeneous CE was characterized by a pooled sensitivity of 0.43 (95% CI: 0.40-0.45) and the pooled specificity of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.46-0.52). Non-homogeneous CE displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.55-0.60) and a pooled specificity of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.48-0.54). The lack of CE displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00-0.06) and a pooled specificity of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64-0.85). Marked CE displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.37-0.44) and a pooled specificity of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.50-0.58). Non-marked CE displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.56-0.63) and a pooled specificity of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.42-0.50). The early AT displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.04 (95% CI: 0.02-0.08) and a pooled specificity of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77-0.87). The early wash out displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.48-0.72) and a pooled specificity of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.92-1.00). The delayed wash out displayed a pooled sensitivity of 0.15 (95% CI: 0.10-0.20) and a pooled specificity of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.62-0.75). Conclusions: CEUS is characterized by excellent diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of the malignancy of subpleural lung lesions. By separately analyzing the CEUS findings, the diagnostic accuracy values are considerably lower and not significant in some cases. The simultaneous evaluation of multiple CEUS features allows us to reach an excellent diagnostic accuracy. Non-homogeneous CE with early wash out are the most indicative features of malignancy of a lung lesion.

Pulmonologist-Performed Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Lung Lesions

Background and objective: Lung cancer is increasingly common, and accurate diagnosis is important for personalized treatment. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful method to obtain a specimen for a histological diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of the procedure performed by pulmonologists. The result is compared with that of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy performed by radiologists. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and complication rates of pulmonologist-performed ultrasound-guided FNAs of lung lesions in the period of 1 August 2019 to 30 June 2021 (pulmonologist group) and radiologist-performed ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies (CNBs) of lung lesions in the period of 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014 (radiologist group). A logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent influence factors associated with diagnostic accuracy in the pulmonologist group and in the combination of both groups. Results: In a 23-month period, pulmonologists in a tertiary center performed 113 episodes of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for peripheral lung lesions. The diagnostic accuracy and complication rates were 80.4% and 5.3%, respectively, compared to 86.8% and 7.4% in a historical cohort consisting of 68 episodes of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies performed by radiologists in the same hospital. Lung lesions located in the upper lobe were predictive of successful diagnoses. Conclusions: An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration by a pulmonologist is an easily accessible and reliable method to obtain specimens for histological diagnoses.

A Cone Beam CT Bronchoscopy Study of the Ultrathin Cryoprobe for Biopsy of Peripheral Lung Lesions.

Compared with the standard cryoprobe, the novel ultrathin 1.1mm cryoprobe (UTCP) has improved ergonomics, shape memory, and flexibility. The performance of UTCP has demonstrated promising results in several small trials. In this single-center, retrospective review, we examine 200 (N=200) consecutive patients referred for cone beam CT bronchoscopic biopsy of peripheral lung lesions. We utilized an extended multimodality approach, including transbronchial needle aspirate, brush, traditional forces biopsies, UTCP biopsies, and BAL. We analyzed tool in lesion, tool touch lesion, center strike rates, and diagnostic yield. We assessed for molecular adequacy and analyzed safety. A total of 222 lesions were biopsied. We achieved a tool in lesion or tool touch lesion confirmation for all biopsy attempts (100%) and a center strike rate of 68%. AQuIRE diagnostic yield was 90%, with 60% malignant, 30% benign lung nodules, and 10% nondiagnostic. UTCP was diagnostic in 3.6 % of peripheral lung lesions biopsies when all other modalities were nondiagnostic; thus, raising our overall diagnostic yield from 86.4% to 90.1%. Our analysis demonstrates superior adequacy for molecular analysis for histologic samples (TBBX or UTCP) versus cytologic samples (FNA) ( P <0.001). Three patients (1.5%) had a pneumothorax, and 1 patient (0.5%) had moderate bleeding. UTCP was diagnostic in 3.6% of peripheral lung lesions when all other modalities were nondiagnostic. In the setting of CBCT guidance, UTCP has a similar safety profile to standard biopsy tools. Future trials are warranted to assess UTCP and its impact on peripheral lung lesion biopsies.