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Author Spotlight: Expanding Interventional Pulmonology Research with Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Published on: July 19, 2024
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Mobile cone-beam computed tomography complementing shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in the small pulmonary
David Abia-Trujillo1, Erik E Folch2, Alejandra Yu Lee-Mateus1
1Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.)
|November 28, 2023
Summary
Shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) with mobile cone-beam CT (mCBCT) shows similar diagnostic yield to standard ssRAB for peripheral pulmonary nodules. This approach enables targeting of complex nodules with comparable accuracy and safety.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
- Robotic Surgery
Background:
- Shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) is a key diagnostic tool for peripheral pulmonary nodules (PPNs).
- Diagnosing small PPNs (<2 cm) remains challenging.
- The added value of mobile cone-beam computed tomography (mCBCT) in ssRAB is uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the role of mCBCT in ssRAB.
- To determine if mCBCT provides a diagnostic advantage for PPNs.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter retrospective study comparing ssRAB with and without mCBCT.
- Primary outcome: diagnostic yield and sensitivity for malignancy.
- Comparison against standard 2D fluoroscopy.
Main Results:
- 192 nodules in 173 patients were analyzed; mCBCT was used in 60.9%.
- Overall diagnostic yield was 85.4%, with similar yields between groups (83.8% with mCBCT vs. 88% without).
- mCBCT targeted more subsolid nodules (10.3% vs. 1.3%) and fewer solid nodules (65.8% vs. 81.3%).
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic yield is similar with or without mCBCT in ssRAB.
- mCBCT facilitates targeting of complex subsolid PPNs with comparable diagnostic yield and safety.
- ssRAB combined with mCBCT offers a safe and effective approach for diagnosing challenging PPNs.
