Feasibility and Safety of the Transbronchial Access Tool for Peripheral Pulmonary Nodule and Mass

Navigational bronchoscopy and other imaging modalities have improved the ability to evaluate pulmonary nodules/mass. Many of these lesions are located outside the bronchial airway and are difficult to access even with these devices. The Transbronchial Access Tool (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) allows the bronchoscopist to create a pathway from the bronchial airway, across the lung parenchyma, and into the target lesion. We are reporting the feasibility and safety of this new device.

Patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules/mass with an absence of an air bronchogram on thoracic imaging underwent a navigational bronchoscopy in a hybrid operating room under general anesthesia. A navigational system located predetermined areas in the bronchial tree to deploy the Transbronchial Access Tool, and cone beam computed tomography confirmed that the target lesion was accessed. A standard protocol was developed and followed in the last 7 patients directing cone beam computed tomography use. The ability to enter the target lesion, diagnostic yield, radiation exposure, and procedural complications were recorded.

The Transbronchial Access Tool was used in 14 patients who underwent an electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy-guided biopsy from September 2015 to January 2016. The overall diagnostic yield was 71% (10 of 14) and 100% (7 of 7) when the standard protocol was instituted. Access was achieved in 75% (9 of 12) of the targeted lesions, with a diagnostic yield of 66% (8 of 12). One complication, a pneumothorax, occurred. The average radiation exposure during the procedure was 4.3 mSv (range, 3 to 5 mSv), and fluoroscopic time was 17 minutes (range, 2 to 44 minutes).

The Transbronchial Access Tool is safe and permits access to pulmonary nodules/masses with navigational bronchoscopy.