Pleural cryobiopsy is useful for comprehensive cancer genetic panel testing

An 83-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea. Her chest X-ray showed a right-sided pleural effusion. Flex-rigid pleuroscopy was performed and showed a mass in the anterior portion. The mass was biopsied with conventional biopsy forceps, but the mass was solid, and sufficient tissues could not be obtained. Therefore, the mass was biopsied with a cryoprobe. The tip of the probe was attached to the mass, and it was cooled with carbon dioxide once for 5 sec and then for 7 sec in the same place. The tissue size obtained was 2 mm by conventional biopsy forceps, and 5 mm at 5 sec and 12 mm at 7 sec by cryobiopsy. Histological analysis of the conventional biopsy forceps specimen showed cancer cells in the glandular cavity, but it was not sufficient tissue for comprehensive cancer genetic panel (CGP) testing. The cryobiopsy specimens showed cancer cells and sufficient tissue for comprehensive CGP testing.