Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Expanding Interventional Pulmonology Research with Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Published on: July 19, 2024
Clinical outcomes of transbronchial cryobiopsy using a 1.1-mm diameter cryoprobe for peripheral lung lesions - A
Soo Han Kim1, Jeongha Mok1, Saerom Kim2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea; Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Objectives:
Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a novel technique for the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions (PLLs). We aim to evaluate the clinical outcomes of TBCB using a new 1.1-mm diameter cryoprobe for the diagnosis of PLLs.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a prospective observational pilot study on the diagnosis of PLLs (diameter ≤30 mm) by TBCB, using a 1.1-mm diameter cryoprobe with radial endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS), virtual bronchoscopic navigation and fluoroscopy from December 2021 to July 2022. Primary outcome was the pathological diagnostic yield of TBCB, and secondary outcome was adverse event.
Results:
A total of 50 patients were enrolled (mean lesion size, 21 mm). TBCB was performed in 49 patients up to three times except for the one with "invisible" finding on RP-EBUS. The overall diagnostic yield of TBCB was 90% (45/50). There was no difference in the diagnostic yield between size (20 mm vs. 20-30 mm; 88% [22/25] vs. 92% [23/25]; P = 1.000), RP-EBUS findings (concentric vs. others; 97% [28/29] vs. 81% [17/21]; P = 0.148), and acute angle location (apical segment of both upper lobes vs. others; 92% [12/13] vs. 89% [33/37]; P = 1.000). The cumulative diagnostic yields of the first, second, and third TBCB were 82% (41/50), 88% (44/50), and 90% (45/50), respectively. Mild bleeding was developed in 56% (28/50), and moderate bleeding was found in 26% (13/50).
Conclusion:
TBCB using a 1.1-mm diameter cryoprobe is an effective, reasonable method for the diagnosis of PLLs regardless of its size, RP-EBUS finding, and anatomical location without serious complication.
Trial Registration:
Clinical Trials.Gov (NCT05046093).

