Imaging modalities during navigational bronchoscopy.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Bronchoscopy

Background:

• Lung nodules are frequently identified in clinical practice.
• Advances in imaging and navigational bronchoscopy enable early lung cancer detection.
• Improved nodule localization and biopsy confirmation are key to early diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on imaging modalities combined with navigational platforms for diagnosing peripheral lung nodules.
• To discuss current limitations and future perspectives of these imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of PubMed from January 2014 to January 2024.
• Focus on combined modalities of navigational platforms and imaging tools for lung nodule diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Navigational platforms enhance target localization but diagnostic yield may lag behind percutaneous biopsy.
• Discordance between preprocedural CT and actual nodule location impacts biopsy accuracy.
• Advanced imaging tools with navigation-based bronchoscopy improve real-time localization and biopsy success.

Conclusions:

• Interventional bronchoscopists must grasp the strengths and limitations of advanced imaging technologies.
• Combined imaging and navigation show promise for improving peripheral lung nodule diagnosis.
• Continued research is needed to overcome current limitations and enhance diagnostic yield.