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Robotic-assisted Bronchoscopy Combined with Multimodal Imaging for Targeted Lung Cryobiopsies
Published on: July 19, 2024
Predictors of Diagnostic Yield in Shape-Sensing Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy (ssRAB): A Retrospective Single-Center
Hruy Menghesha1,2, Jan Arensmeyer1,3, Philipp Feodorovici1,3
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) achieves high diagnostic yield for peripheral lung lesions. Increasing the number of biopsy samples is key to improving diagnostic success, more so than lesion characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Medical Technology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (RAB) offers advanced navigation for peripheral pulmonary lesion evaluation.
- Predictors of diagnostic yield for shape-sensing RAB (ssRAB) are not well-defined.
- This study investigates factors influencing ssRAB diagnostic success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of diagnostic yield in robotic bronchoscopy.
- To evaluate the impact of lesion characteristics and biopsy techniques on diagnostic success.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 111 consecutive ssRAB procedures (ION system).
- Exclusion of procedures without cone-beam CT (CBCT) guidance or for marker placement only.
- Analysis of demographic data, lesion characteristics, biopsy modality, and sample number.
Main Results:
- Overall diagnostic yield was 88.3% (98/111).
- No significant association found between yield and lesion size, density, or biopsy instrument.
- A trend towards higher yield was observed with an increased number of biopsy samples (p=0.084).
Conclusions:
- ssRAB demonstrates high diagnostic yield for peripheral pulmonary lesions.
- Adequate tissue acquisition, indicated by the number of biopsy samples, is crucial for diagnostic success.
- Lesion characteristics and biopsy modality did not significantly impact outcomes in this cohort.
