Diagnostic yield and safety profile of cryobiopsy in various lung pathologies

Introduction: Cryobiopsy is a relatively new technique used to diagnose lung pathologies. This study focuses on current cryobiopsy techniques, diagnostic yield and complication rates. Aims and Objective: To study the role and to evaluate safety and diagnostic yield of Cryobiopsy in Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD), peripheral lesions and endobronchial lesions. Methods: It was prospective observational study. All patients with suspected DPLD or with peripheral lung lesion on HRCT and all patients with endobronchial lesion on bronchoscopy were selected and were subjected to cryobiopsy procedure. Results: Out of 83 patients 25 underwent Trans-Bronchial Lung Cryobiopsy (TBLC) for DPLD, 30 underwent TBLC for peripheral lesions and 28 patients were of endo bronchial lesions that underwent Endobronchial Lung Cryobiopsy(EBLC). The results were as shown in Figure 1. Total diagnostic yieald was 92% for TBLC in DPLD, 80% for TBLC in Peripheral lesions and 92% in EBLC (Figure 2). Total 73 patients had no complications. There was no case of pneumothorax in our study. Conclusions: Cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of DPLD, peripheral lesions and endobronchial lesion appears safe and feasible.