Bronchoscopic Cryobiopsy and Forceps Biopsy for the Diagnostic Evaluation of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease in Clinical Practice

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution and safety of bronchoscopic cryobiopsy vs traditional forceps biopsy used in clinical practice for diagnosing diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 271 patients who underwent bronchoscopic biopsy for DPLD at Mayo Clinic, MN (June 1, 2013, through September 30, 2017). Medical records were reviewed including prebiopsy clinical and radiographic impressions. Diagnostic yield was assessed in terms of a specific histologic pattern resulting in a diagnosis when combined with the clinical-radiologic context. Clinical utility was defined as a biopsy result deemed useful in patient management. RESULTS: The cohort included 120 cryobiopsy and 151 forceps biopsy cases with mean age 61±14 years and 143 (53%) men. Diagnostic yield (55% vs 41%; odds ratio [OR], 1.73; 95% CI, 1.07 to 2.83; P=.026) and clinical utility (60% vs 40%; OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.36 to 3.63; P=.001) were higher for the cryobiopsy group, and the association remained after control for prebiopsy clinical impressions (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.08; P=.010 and OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.76 to 6.10; P<.001, respectively). However, pneumothorax (5.4% vs 0.7%; P=.022) and serious bleeding (7.1% vs 0%; P=.001) rates were higher for the cryobiopsy group. Thirty-day mortality was 1.6% in the cryobiopsy group vs 0% for the forceps biopsy group (P=.20). CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopic cryobiopsy revealed higher diagnostic yield and clinical utility than did forceps biopsy. However, procedure-related complications were higher in the cryobiopsy group. The choice of bronchoscopic biopsy procedure for patients with DPLD depends on the clinicalradiologic context.