Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Performed with Cone Beam Computed Tomography Guidance Versus Fluoroscopy: A Retrospective Cohort Review

Purpose Determining the cause of interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains challenging. While surgical lung biopsy remains the gold standard approach, risks associated with it may be prohibitive. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a minimally invasive alternative with an improved safety profile and acceptable diagnostic accuracy. We retrospectively assessed whether the use of Cone Beam computed tomography guidance for TBLC (TBLC-CBCT) improves safety and diagnostic yield compared to performing TBLC with fluoroscopic guidance (TBLC-F). Methods A retrospective cohort review of 120 patients presenting for evaluation of newly diagnosed ILD was performed. Demographic data, pulmonary function test values, chest imaging pattern, procedural information, and final multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) diagnosis were recorded. Results 62 patients underwent TBLC-F and 58 underwent TBLC-CBCT. Patients undergoing TBLC-CBCT were older (67.86 ± 10.97 vs 61.45 ± 12.77 years, p = 0.004) and had a higher forced vital capacity percent predicted (73.80 ± 17.32% vs 66.00 ± 17.45%, p = 0.03) compared to the TBLC-F group. The average probe-to-pleura distance was 5.1 ± 2.3 mm in the TBLC-CBCT group with 4.0 ± 0.3 CBCT spins performed. Pneumothorax occurred more often in the TBLC-F group ( n = 6, 9.7%) compared to the TBLC-CBCT group ( n = 1, 1.7%, p = 0.06). Grade 2 bleeding only occurred in the TBLC-F group ( n = 4, 6.5%). A final MDD diagnosis was obtained in 89% ( n = 57) of TBLC-F patients and 95% ( n = 57) of TBLC-CBCT patients. Conclusions TBLC-CBCT appears to be safer compared to TBLC-F with both approaches facilitating an MDD diagnosis. Further studies from multiple institutions randomizing patients to each modality are needed to confirm these findings.