The Diagnostic Yield of Bronchoscopic Cryobiopsy Compared to Conventional Forceps Biopsy in Endobronchial Tumors

Abstract

Background: Conventional Forceps biopsy is associated with smaller specimen sizes and more crushed artifacts. Recently, cryobiopsy has been suggested to be associated with higher diagnostic yield due to its ability to obtain larger biopsies with less crush artifacts when compared to conventional biopsy techniques. This study aimed for assessment of the diagnostic yield of cryobiopsy compared to the forceps biopsy for endobronchial lesions. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 48 patients with endobronchial lesions underwent bronchoscopic forceps biopsy and cryobiopsy, at the Chest Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, and the specimens were sent for histopathological analysis. Results: Two methods showed statistically significant differences as regards the diagnostic yield as all the cryoprobe biopsies (100%) were diagnostic while only (81.3%) of forceps biopsies were diagnostic (P value = 0.002). Conclusion: Cryobiopsy yielded larger tissue specimens, resulting in a higher diagnostic yield and a lower prevalence of non-diagnostic results compared to forceps biopsy.