Robotic-Assisted Navigation Bronchoscopy as a Paradigm Shift in Peripheral Lung Access.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Interventional Radiology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Current techniques for biopsying suspicious lung nodules have suboptimal sensitivity.
• Robotic-assisted navigation bronchoscopy (RANB) presents a novel method for lung nodule biopsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the sensitivity for malignancy and overall diagnostic accuracy of RANB.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of RANB when combined with cone beam CT (CBCT) for secondary confirmation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of 52 consecutive patients.
• Collection of demographic data, nodule characteristics, procedural information, and follow-up results.
• Biopsy of 59 nodules using RANB with CBCT confirmation.

Main Results:

• A tissue diagnosis was obtained in 83% of biopsied nodules.
• Malignancy was the most common diagnosis (65%).
• Procedural sensitivity for malignancy was 84%, with an overall diagnostic yield of 86%.

Conclusions:

• Robotic-assisted navigation bronchoscopy with CBCT enhances sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for lung nodule biopsies.
• This combined modality has the potential to advance the diagnostic approach for pulmonary nodules.