Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy in children

Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a novel technique, available globally only in a limited number of centers. Since the data on the role of TBLCs amongst pediatric patients is limited, the aim was to evaluate its efficacy in diagnosing lung diseases amongst children.

The records of 28 pediatric patients were retrospectively reviewed from October 2016 till September 2018. The participants' demographic information, procedural indications, sample adequacy, diagnostic utility, and the complications associated with this type of bronchoscopy apparatus were further assessed.

Twenty-eight pediatric patients aged 22 months to 17 years underwent TBLC. From the 73 obtained biopsies, 97% had an adequate sampling size. The diagnostic yield of this method was 92.8%. The most common complication was mild bleeding. Transient hypoxemia and bronchospasm were observed in eleven and eight patients, respectively. Furthermore, most of them (78.6%) had uneventful post-procedure and recovery.

TBLC was a relatively safe and effective method with high accuracy and fewer complications in diagnosing and monitoring lung diseases in the selected children. However, more extensive multicentre trials are warranted to corroborate the potential benefits of this novel technique.