A New Tool for Transbronchial Cryobiopsies in the Lung: An Experimental Feasibility ex-vivo Study

Background: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a minimally invasive procedure to establish a diagnosis in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) though with the disadvantages of a rigid intubation and the extraction of the samples together with the whole bronchoscope. Objectives: Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new cryoprobe with the possibility to obtain biopsy samples through the working channel of the flexible bronchoscope. Methods: TBCB and transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB) were compared in a prospectively randomized ex-vivo animal study using a standard flexible b…