Background A balloon occlusion technique is suggested for use in cryobiopsy for interstitial lung diseases because of the bleeding risk. However, it may interfere with selection of the involved bronchus for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). A two-scope technique, in which two scopes are prepared and hemostasis is started using the second scope immediately after cryobiopsy, has also been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and diagnostic utility of transbronchial cryobiopsy using the two-scope technique for PPLs. Methods Data of patients who underwent conventional biopsy followed by cryobiopsy using the two-scope technique for PPLs from November 2019 to March 2021 were collected. The incidence of complications and risk factors for clinically significant bleeding (moderate to life-threatening) were investigated. Diagnostic yields were also compared among conventional biopsy, cryobiopsy, and the combination of them. Results A total of 139 patients were analyzed. Moderate bleeding occurred in 25 (18.0%) patients without severe/life-threatening bleeding. Although five cases required transbronchial instillation of thrombin, all bleeding was completely controlled using the two-scope technique. Other complications included two pneumothoraces and one asthmatic attack. On multivariable analysis, only ground-glass features (P < 0.001, odds ratio: 9.30) were associated with clinically significant bleeding. The diagnostic yields of conventional biopsy and cryobiopsy were 76.3% and 81.3%, respectively (P = 0.28). The total diagnostic yield was 89.9%, significantly higher than conventional biopsy alone (P < 0.001). Conclusions The two-scope technique provides useful hemostasis for safe cryobiopsy for PPLs, with a careful decision needed for ground-glass lesions.

Letters to the Editor epidermis of Japanese individuals with familial acanthosis nigricans and hyperpigmentation caused by the K650Q mutation in FGFR3 is reported to be 22-25/mm, being approximately one-third of the value observed herein. 4 The biggest concern in the present case was the diffuse facial hyperpigmentation, although her entire body was equally hyperpigmented. The hyperpigmentation was very strong and apparently beyond the normal range of skin coloration of Japanese individuals. As serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf (BRAF) and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) are located downstream of FGFR3, novel treatment modalities may include the topical application of BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors. 5 Inhibitors designed against FGFR3 would evidently be effective in controlling this condition in the future.

Background A balloon occlusion technique is suggested for use in cryobiopsy for interstitial lung diseases because of the bleeding risk. However, it may interfere with selection of the involved bronchus for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). A two-scope technique, in which two scopes are prepared and hemostasis is started using the second scope immediately after cryobiopsy, has also been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and diagnostic utility of transbronchial cryobiopsy using the two-scope technique for PPLs. Methods Data of patients who underwent conventional biopsy followed by cryobiopsy using the two-scope technique for PPLs from November 2019 to March 2021 were collected. The incidence of complications and risk factors for clinically significant bleeding (moderate to life-threatening) were investigated. Diagnostic yields were also compared among conventional biopsy, cryobiopsy, and the combination of them. Results A total of 139 patients were analyzed. Moderate bleeding occurred in 25 (18.0%) patients without severe/life-threatening bleeding. Although five cases required transbronchial instillation of thrombin, all bleeding was completely controlled using the two-scope technique. Other complications included two pneumothoraces and one asthmatic attack. On multivariable analysis, only ground-glass features (P < 0.001, odds ratio: 9.30) were associated with clinically significant bleeding. The diagnostic yields of conventional biopsy and cryobiopsy were 76.3% and 81.3%, respectively (P = 0.28). The total diagnostic yield was 89.9%, significantly higher than conventional biopsy alone (P < 0.001). Conclusions The two-scope technique provides useful hemostasis for safe cryobiopsy for PPLs, with a careful decision needed for ground-glass lesions.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Transbronchial cryobiopsy enables high-quality sample collection around the probe tip. Meanwhile, existing cryoprobes have less flexibility and a higher risk of bleeding. The ultrathin cryoprobe with a 1.1-mm diameter addresses these problems and allows specimens to be directly retrieved through the working channel of a thin bronchoscope. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study evaluated the diagnostic utility and safety of non-intubated cryobiopsy using an ultrathin cryoprobe added to conventional biopsy for diagnosing peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The data of patients who underwent conventional biopsy followed by non-intubated cryobiopsy to retrieve specimens through the thin bronchoscope’s working channel for diagnosing PPLs at Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital from July 2021 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected. They were analyzed to evaluate the diagnostic utility and safety of adding non-intubated cryobiopsy to conventional biopsy for PPLs. The characteristics of PPLs that obtain additional diagnostic benefits from cryobiopsy over conventional biopsy were also investigated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The analysis included 113 patients. The diagnostic yields of conventional biopsy and non-intubated cryobiopsy were 70.8% and 82.3%, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.009). The total diagnostic yield was 85.8%, higher than conventional biopsy alone (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Although one moderate bleeding occurred, no severe complications developed. The additional diagnostic benefits of non-intubated cryobiopsy over conventional biopsy were demonstrated when the radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) showed “adjacent to” (60.3% vs. 82.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.017). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Non-intubated cryobiopsy using an ultrathin cryoprobe has high diagnostic utility and safety for diagnosing PPLs, with additional diagnostic benefits over conventional biopsy depending on the R-EBUS image.