The diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy versus forceps biopsy of malignant endobronchial lesions

BackgroundIn patients with endoscopically visible lesions, flexible bronchoscopy with FB is the most frequently used technique to obtain specimens for pathologic analysis with sensitivity of approximately 74%. The flexible cryoprobe, so far used for cryotherapy and endoluminal tumor debulking, also seemed to be suitable for biopsies from visible lesions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of cryobiopsy and forceps biopsy.Patients and methodsFor each patient group with a confirmed endobronchial lesion, diagnostic yield and safety of forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy were recorded.ResultsThe diagnostic yield was significantly higher with cryobiopsy (95%), compared with forceps biopsy (80%) (p < 0.001).ConclusionCryobiopsy is a safe high diagnostic yield technique in sampling endobronchial tumor lesions.