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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Author Spotlight: Expanding Interventional Pulmonology Research with Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Published on: July 19, 2024
Diagnostic yield of transbronchial cryobiopsy in non-neoplastic lung disease: a retrospective case series
Sergej Griff1, Nicolas Schönfeld, Wilhelm Ammenwerth
1Institute of Pathology, HELIOS Klinikum Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstr, 11, 14165 Berlin, Germany. sergej.griff@helios-kliniken.de.
Background:
Due to the small amount of alveolar tissue in transbronchial biopsy (TBB) by forceps, the diagnosis of diffuse, parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) is inherently problematic, with an overall low yield. The use of cryotechnique in bronchoscopy, including TBB by cryoprobe, has revealed new opportunities in the endoscopical diagnosis of malignant and non-malignant lung diseases.
Methods:
To evaluate TBB by cryotechnique for non-neoplastic lung diseases, we analyzed 52 patients (mean age 63 ± 13 years) with unclear DPLD. These individuals underwent bronchoscopy with TBB by cryoprobe. Thereafter histopathological results were compared with the clinically evaluated diagnosis.
Results:
No major complications were seen. Mean specimen diameter in the histological biopsies was 6.9 ± 4.4 mm (Range 2 - 22 mm). A correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses was found in 79% of cases (41/52). In the case of UIP (usual interstitial pneumonia) pattern, the concordance was 10/15 (66%).
Conclusion:
Based on these results TBB by cryotechnique would appear to be a safe and useful method that reveals new perspectives for the endoscopical diagnosis of DPLD.
Insights
Cryoprobe transbronchial biopsy (TBB) offers a safe and effective method for diagnosing diffuse, parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD). This technique improves diagnostic yield compared to traditional forceps TBB, providing new perspectives for endoscopic lung disease evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Interventional Pulmonology
- Diagnostic Pathology
Background:
- Traditional forceps transbronchial biopsy (TBB) for diffuse, parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) often yields insufficient tissue for accurate diagnosis.
- The limited alveolar tissue obtained via forceps TBB presents a significant challenge in diagnosing DPLD, resulting in low diagnostic yield.
- Cryoprobe techniques in bronchoscopy have emerged as a promising alternative for diagnosing both malignant and non-malignant lung conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using cryotechnique for diagnosing non-neoplastic diffuse, parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD).
- To compare histopathological findings from cryoprobe TBB with clinical diagnoses in patients with unclear DPLD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective analysis of 52 patients with unclear DPLD who underwent bronchoscopy with cryoprobe TBB.
- Histopathological results from cryoprobe TBB specimens were compared against the final clinical diagnosis.
- Evaluation of complications and specimen size was also performed.
Main Results:
- No major complications were reported during the cryoprobe TBB procedures.
- The mean specimen diameter obtained was 6.9 mm (range 2-22 mm), indicating adequate tissue sample size.
- A significant correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses was observed in 79% of cases (41/52).
- For usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns, diagnostic concordance was 66% (10/15).
Conclusions:
- Transbronchial biopsy by cryotechnique is a safe and effective method for the endoscopic diagnosis of diffuse, parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD).
- Cryoprobe TBB provides improved diagnostic yield and opens new avenues for the endoscopical evaluation of DPLD.
- This technique offers a valuable tool for clinicians managing patients with interstitial lung diseases.
