Intra-patient comparison of parietal pleural biopsies by rigid forceps, flexible forceps and cryoprobe obtained during medical thoracoscopy: a prospective series of 80 cases with pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: There is only few data available on the use of cryotechnique during medical thoracoscopy. METHODS: Medical thoracoscopy was performed in consecutive patients with pleural effusion. Prospectively, biopsies were taken by rigid forceps, flexible forceps and cryoprobe. Specimen size, depth and diagnostic yield were compared. RESULTS: 80 Patients were included. 408 biopsies were taken (205 rigid biopsies, 104 flexible biopsies, 99 cryobiopsies). Mean surface area of rigid biopsies was 22.6 ± 20.4 mm(2) (flexible biopsies: 7.1 ± 9.3 mm(2), cryobiopsies: 14.4 ± 12.8 mm(2)). Rigid biopsies were significantly larger than cryobiopsies (p < 0.001) and flexible biopsies (p < 0.001), crybiopsies were significantly larger than flexible biopsies (p < 0.01). A deep biopsy containing fatty tissue was harvested in 63 % of rigid biopsies (cryobiopsy: 49.5 % flexible biopsy: 39.5 %). In 79/80 cases (98.7 % 95 % CI cannot be calculated) a diagnosis was obtained by rigid biopsy (cryobiopsy: 73/80 cases (91.3 % 95 % CI 86.0 - 96.5 %), flexible biopsy: 74/80 cases (92.5 % 95 % CI 88.6 - 97.4 %)). Diagnostic yield achieved with cryobiopsies was inferior to the yield of rigid biopsies (Difference: 12.7 %), but non-inferior to flexible biopsies (Difference: 6.5 %). CONCLUSION: Cryobiopsies in medical thoracoscopy are safe with high diagnostic yield, non-inferior to flexible biopsies with increased tissue quantity and quality. Cryotechnique can develop an important role in medical thoracoscopy in the near future when rigid thoracoscopy is not available.

[Diagnostic yield and safety of bronchoscopic cryotechnique in routine diagnostics for suspected lung cancer]. / Diagnostischer Wert und Sicherheit der bronchoskopischen Kryotechnik im Routineeinsatz bei Verdacht auf Lungenkarzinom.

BACKGROUND: Cryoprobes with flexible catheters are an additional important tool for endobronchial interventional therapy and histologic diagnosis. Different studies compared the diagnostic effectiveness and complications to the forceps as a standard. However, routine endoscopic procedures require a combined use of different methods in order to achieve the highest diagnostic yield. We investigated the impact of cryotechnique in comparison with combined diagnostic tools during routine diagnostics of malignant tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients undergoing routine diagnostic for lung cancer was included over a 30 months period (n = 469). The use of the cryotechnique, the complication rates and diagnostic value were prospectively documented. Cryotechnique was used on top of conventional technologies. RESULTS: A histologic proof of tumor by cryotechnique in centrally located tumors was delivered more frequently compared to forceps biopsies alone (81.4 versus 59.9% and 66.2 versus 37.7% in peripheral lesions). However, when the other non-cryotechniques were taken into account, the value was reduced in central probes (7.4%; p = 0.02), but remained high for peripheral findings (19.3%; p < 0.002). The frequency of complications seemed unchanged, however severe bleeding occurred. CONCLUSION: The cryotechnique bears high diagnostic potential beside its therapeutic value, also in routine investigations. The changed complication profile of this technology needs to be addressed in the informed consent and secured airway management may be helpful.

[Curative surgical treatment options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and solitary pulmonary metastasis]. / Kurativer chirurgischer Therapieansatz bei solitär pulmonal metastasierten nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinomen (NSCLC).

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of synchronous solitary lung metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Satellite lesions in the same lobe are now classified as T3 which may result in stage IIB (T3N0M0). In contrast, ipsilateral lesions in different lobes are associated with a worse prognosis and classified as T4 tumors (stage IIIA), but operation is usually withheld from these patients. Contralateral lung metastases have been classified more recently as M1a which usually results in a conservative therapy. We analysed survival data of all patients with primary lung tumour and synchronous pulmonary metastasis outside of the tumour-bearing lobe, who underwent surgery. METHODS: Between 1997 - 2007 we operated on 57 patients with NSCLC and simultaneous second (solitary) malignant lesions of the lung, outside of the tumour-bearing lobe, after informed consent. Survival was documented and analysed by Kaplan-Meier statistics (log-rank). RESULTS: The primary tumour was treated in 67 % of cases by lobectomy, in 9 % by pneumonectomy, by bilobectomy in 2 % and in 22 % by segment or wedge resection. The second malignant lesion, and thus potential solitary metastasis, was treated in 83 % by segment or wedge resection. The overall survival of all patients (n = 57) was a median of 82 months (75 - 89 95%CI). In the synchronous second primaries (n = 7) the median survival was 76 months (0.1 to 151 95%CI) and in the synchronous metastases (n = 50) 82 months (95 % CI 75 - 88). This results in a 5-year survival rate of 56 % and 77 %, respectively. The median survival of patients with solitary metastasis, ipsilateral (T4 after UICC7) was 79 months (76 - 82 95 %CI) and with contralateral metastasis (M1a according UICC7) 84 months (60 - 107 95 %CI, p = 0.634). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis shows that patients with solitary pulmonary metastasis (outside of the tumour-bearing lobe) and otherwise operable NSCLC may profit from surgical intervention comprising resection of the primary tumour, lymphadenectomy, and resection of the solitary pulmonary metastasis. Long-term survival can be achieved independent of the localisation of lung metastases (ipsilateral vs. contralateral lung).

Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia diagnosed by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Micronodular lesions are common findings in lung imaging. As an important differential diagnosis, we describe a case of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia; it is notable that the diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia is often delayed. This case provides supporting evidence to establish lung biopsy by cryotechnique as the option of first choice when considering a diagnostic strategy for micronodular lung lesions. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 65-year-old white woman who presented with obstructive symptoms of chronic coughing and dyspnea confirmed by conventional lung function tests. A computed tomography scan presented disseminated micronodules in all the lobes of her lungs. With the help of bronchoscopic cryobiopsy it was possible to obtain a high yield sample of lung parenchyma. On histologic examination, the micronodules correlated with a diffuse neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. In the context of clinical symptoms, radiological aspects, and histomorphological aspects we made the diagnosis of a diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. Obstructive symptoms were treated with inhaled steroids and beta-2-mimetics continuously. A comparison between current computed tomography scans of our patient and scans of 2014 revealed no significant changes. Last ambulatory checks occurred in January and May of 2016. The course of disease and the extent of limitation of lung function have remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia is best made in a multidisciplinary review including clinical presentation, lung imaging, and histomorphological aspects. This report and current literature indicate that transbronchial lung cryobiopsy can be used as a safe and practicable tool to obtain high quality biopsies of lung parenchyma in order to diagnose micronodular lesions of the lung.

Pulmonary nodules resected at video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: etiology in 426 patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the etiology of pulmonary nodules resected at video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and establish the probabilities that single or multiple nodules resected at VATS represent malignancy in patients with or patients without known cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathology reports from VATS performed between January 1995 and July 1997 were searched for data on gross specimens revealing pulmonary nodules 3 cm or smaller. Findings were correlated with clinical and histologic data. RESULTS: In 254 patients with one nodule resected at VATS, the nodules were malignant in 108 patients with and in 32 patients without known cancer (P < .03). Among 172 patients with multiple nodules resected, at least one nodule was malignant in 85 patients with and in 20 patients without known cancer (P > .05). Nodules larger than 1 cm were more likely to be malignant than were smaller nodules (P < .002). In patients with known malignancy, nodules smaller than 0.5 cm were more likely to be benign, whereas nodules larger than 0.5 cm but smaller than 1 cm were more likely to be malignant (P < .001). CONCLUSION: A single pulmonary nodule resected at VATS was more likely to be malignant in patients with known cancer. Nodules larger than 1 cm but smaller than 3 cm resected at VATS were more likely to be malignant. Nodules smaller than 0.5 cm were more likely to be benign.