Radial-EBUS and virtual bronchoscopy planner for peripheral lung cancer diagnosis: How it became the first-line endoscopic procedure.

BACKGROUND: Various advanced bronchoscopy methods have been developed to reach peripheral lung lesions (PLL). In a large cohort, we aimed to assess a standardized procedure of first-line radial-endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) and virtual bronchoscopy planner for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. METHODS: This retrospective, single center study included patients who had r-EBUS-guided bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of a PLL between 2008 and 2019. Cases without a final diagnosis of cancer or follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2019, 2735 patients had a r-EBUS procedure, among whom 1627 had a final diagnosis of cancer and were included in the present study. Over the 12-year study period, r-EBUS became the first-line endoscopic procedure to assess PLL (25% as first-line bronchoscopy in 2008 vs. 92% in 2019). The frequency of the bronchus sign decreased from 2009 to 2019 (100% to 80%; p = 0.001), whereas US visualization of the lesion remained stable (88%). The median number of biopsies increased from two (2008 to 2014) to four (2015 to 2019) (p < 0.0001), with the same diagnostic efficiency (74% total and 80% when a bronchus sign was present). Of the 651 adenocarcinomas, molecular analysis was possible in 86%. PD-L1 expression analysis was possible in 81% of cases. During the study period, the lifetime of the radial probe increased from 57 procedures to 77 procedures/probe. CONCLUSION: Because r-EBUS and VB planner is easy to perform under local anesthesia, inexpensive and efficient it can be used as a first-line procedure to assess peripheral lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Surgery after Treatment with Anti-PD1/PD-L1 Immunotherapy for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case-Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard of care for non-resectable non-small-cell lung cancer and are under investigation for resectable disease. Some authors have reported difficulties during lung surgery following ICI treatment. This retrospective study investigated the perioperative outcomes of lung resection in patients with preoperative ICI. METHODS: Patients with major lung resection after receiving ICIs were included as cases and were compared to patients who received preoperative chemotherapy without ICI. Surgical, clinical, and imaging data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were included in the ICI group, and 34 were included in the control group. The ICI patients received five (2-18) infusions of ICI (80% with pembrolizumab). Indications for surgery varied widely across groups (p < 0.01). Major pathological response was achieved in 44% of ICI patients and 23.5% of the control group (p = 0.049). Surgery reports showed a higher rate of tissue fibrosis/inflammation in the ICI group (p < 0.01), mostly in centrally located tumours (7/13, 53.8% vs. 3/11, 27.3% of distal tumours, p = 0.24), with no difference in operating time (p = 0.81) nor more conversions (p = 0.46) or perioperative complications (p = 0.94). There was no 90-day mortality. Disease-free survival was higher in the ICI group (HR = 0.30 (0.13-0.71), p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study further supports the safety and feasibility of lung resection in patients following preoperative treatment with ICI.

Virtual Bronchoscopy Planner and Radial-EBUS Guided Biopsy for Organizing Pneumonia Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of organizing pneumonia (OP) often requires histological confirmation. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and complication rate of radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) for OP. METHODS: All patients who had r-EBUS as a first diagnostic procedure for a peripheral pulmonary lesion at Rouen University Hospital, France, between April 2008 and December 2020 were included. Cases without a final diagnosis of OP or follow-up were excluded. Patients, lesions, and r-EBUS characteristics were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: 2735 r-EBUS procedures were performed, and 33 cases with final OP could be analyzed. Procedures were performed under local anesthesia in 28/33 cases (85%). Among the 33 final OP cases, 17 were considered cryptogenic, and 16 secondary. The lesions were patchy alveolar opacities in 23 cases (70%), masses or pulmonary nodules in 8 cases (24%), and diffuse infiltrative opacities in 2 cases (6%). A bronchus sign on CT scan was found in all cases. In 22 cases (67%), a histopathological diagnosis was obtained from the r-EBUS samples. In 4 cases (12%), histopathological diagnosis was made by surgery, and in 7 cases (21%) the diagnosis was made based on clinical, radiological, and evolution features. An ultrasound image was found in 100% (22/22) of cases in the r-EBUS positive (r-EBUS+) group vs. 60% (6/10) in the r-EBUS negative (r-EBUS-) group, respectively (p < 0.002). The diagnostic yield of r-EBUS for OP was 67% and increased to 79% (22/28) when an ultrasound image was obtained. The median time between CT scan and r-EBUS procedure was 14 days (3-94): 11.5 days in the r-EBUS+ group and 22 days in the r-EBUS- group (p < 0.0001). No severe complications were reported. CONCLUSION: r-EBUS, when performed shortly after a CT scan showing a bronchus sign, is an efficient and safe technique for OP diagnosis.