Adjunctive use of disposable 1.1-mm cryoprobe with robotic-assisted bronchoscopy

SESSION TITLE: Tales in Bronchoscopy SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/19/2022 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm INTRODUCTION: Peripheral pulmonary nodule biopsy can be challenging based on its location and size. Robotic bronchoscopy is augmenting peripheral navigation, allowing for approximation of peripheral nodules. The diagnostic yield is variable and is primarily dependent upon operator experience, selection of biopsy equipment and nodule texture. Hard pulmonary nodules are difficult to biopsy with a needle, brush and forceps. We report a case of utilizing combined disposable 1.1 mm cryoprobe and robotic bronchoscopy to diagnose a right lower lobe nodule. CASE PRESENTATION: A 83-year-old woman with a remote history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presented with dyspnea and fatigue. 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed a 2.7 cm hypermetabolic nodule with central photopenia in the right lower lobe (RLL) along with patchy bilateral ground-glass opacities related to COVID-19 infection. After a few weeks, robotic navigation was used for approximation of the RLL superior segment nodule. Under fluoroscopic and radial guidance with circumferential signal, 6 forcep biopsies and 5 fine needle aspirations with 21-gauge needle yielded a non-diagnostic sample. A decision was made to utilize a 1.1 mm disposable cryoprobe, which was inserted through the opening made by the forceps into the target lesion. Six cryo biopsies were obtained with 4-6 seconds freeze time. Minimal bleeding was encountered and no pneumothorax occurred. Histopathological examination revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of combination 1.1 mm disposable cryoprobe biopsy with robotic bronchoscopy. Interventional pulmonologists are primarily using cryo probe for mechanical tumor debulking and peripheral lung biopsy for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. The use of a 1.1 mm cryoprobe under robotic guidance allows for well-preserved tissue samples and possibly boosting diagnostic yield. The advantage of the 1.1 mm cryoprobe lies with its size and excellent flexibility. The robotic platform also corrects for any unwanted deflection. One limitation of using a flexible cryoprobe is its blunt tip, requiring an additional step in gaining access to nodules located outside the airway with either the biopsy needle or forceps. Future improvements in cryoprobe design with a sharp tip may address this limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Combining 1.1 mm disposable cryoprobe with robotic bronchoscopy is safe and can be considered as an adjunct to conventional biopsy, allowing for well-preserved tissue. Further prospective studies to evaluate its performance and safety is warranted. Reference #1: Kho SS, Chai CS, Nyanti LE, et al. Combination of 1.1 mm flexible cryoprobe with conventional guide sheath and therapeutic bronchoscope in biopsy of apical upper lobe solitary pulmonary nodule. BMC Pulm Med. 2020. 158(20). doi.org/10.1186/s12890-020-01199-3 Reference #2: Chen AC, Pastis NJ Jr, Mahajan AK, et al. Robotic Bronchoscopy for Peripheral Pulmonary Lesions: A Multicenter Pilot and Feasibility Study (BENEFIT). Chest. 2021;159(2):845-852. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2020.08.2047 Reference #3: Sahajal Dhooria, Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Ashutosh NA Digambar Behera, Ritesh Agarwal. Diagnostic Yield and Safety of Cryoprobe Transbronchial Lung Biopsy in Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Respiratory Care. 2016. 61(5):700-712. doi.org/10.4187/respcare.04488 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Sailendra Chundu No relevant relationships by Moiz Javed No relevant relationships by Abid Khokar No relevant relationships by Ali Saeed No relevant relationships by Andrew Talon No relevant relationships by Melinda Wang