Cryobiopsy vs Forceps for Bronchoscopic Lung Biopsy

Is the diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung biopsy higher with use of a 1.1-mm cryoprobe compared with 2.0-mm forceps?In this randomized clinical trial of 500 patients undergoing transbronchial biopsy for pulmonary nodules or masses, evaluation after lung transplant, or diffuse parenchymal lung disease, the diagnostic yield was 88.6% with cryobiopsy vs 78.8% with forceps (absolute difference, 9.8%).The diagnostic yield of transbronchial lung biopsy was significantly higher with use of a 1.1-mm cryoprobe vs 2.0-mm forceps in a group of patients with pulmonary nodules or masses, lung transplant, and diffuse parenchymal lung disease.

Corresponding Author: Jeffrey Thiboutot, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Ste 7125, Baltimore, MD 21287 (jthibou1@jhmi.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.