Immediate and Follow-up Imaging Findings after Cone-Beam CT-guided Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy

Purpose: To evaluate findings after transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) using intraprocedural cone-beam CT (CBCT) and follow-up chest CT examinations. Materials and Methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study was performed with 14 participants (mean age, 65 years 13 [SD]; eight male participants) undergoing CBCT-guided TBLC between August 2020 and February 2021 who underwent follow-up chest CT imaging. Intraprocedural CBCT and follow-up chest CT images were interpreted for changes compared with baseline CT images. Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t test and analysis of variance. Results: A total of 62 biopsies were performed, with 48 in the field of view of CBCT immediately after biopsy. All 48 biopsy sites had evidence of postprocedural hemorrhage, and 17 (35%) had pneumatoceles at the biopsy site. Follow-up CT images showed resolution of these findings. Solid nodules developed at 18 of the 62 (29%) biopsy sites. Conclusion: Postbiopsy hemorrhage and pneumatoceles on intraprocedural CBCT images (which were clinically occult and resolved spontaneously) and new solid nodules on follow-up chest CT images were commonly observed after TBLC. These findings may help alleviate unnecessary follow-up imaging and tissue sampling.