Radial EBUS combined with a GS and VBN for diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions: a retrospective study

Abstract

Background More and more peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL) have been found following the increased utilization of chest CT in China. But how to identify the nature of PPL accurately, safely and economically is the concern of Chinese doctors. The combination of radial endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath and virtual bronchoscopic navigation was a deluxe scheme to indicate the pathology of peripheral pulmonary lesions in nation’s current medical level. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic yield, safety and health economics of EBUS-GS-VBN versus radial ultrasonic small probe plus thin bronchoscopy (EBUS) for diagnosis of PPLs. Methods This study was a single-institution retrospective review of PLLs examined by using EBUS-GS-VBN or radial EBUS between March 2018 and September 2018 consecutive. The diagnostic yields, accuracy, operation time, complications, factors influencing the diagnostic outcome, tissue genetic test rate and medical cost were analyzed separately. Results there was no significant difference in the diagnostic yield between the two groups (92.31% vs 88.57%, p = 0.594). Although the searching time of EBUS-GS-VBN was shorter (1.47 ± 0.49 min vs 2.12 ± 1.36 min, p < 0.001), procedure time was extended (24.07 ± 5.53 min vs 17.41 ± 4.38 min, p < 0.001). The diagnosis yield of malignancy and benign disease were equal (84.62% vs 100% and 95.35% vs 84%). There was no difference in the rate of gene testing between the two groups (75% vs 70.58%), while the incidence of Intrapulmonary hemorrhage in the EBUS-GS-VBN group was significantly descended. Moreover, the average expense of EBUS-GS-VBN was higher than that of EBUS-GS (6315 ± 1817 RMB vs 3128 ± 1086RMB). Conclusion When performing TBLB of PLLs, we found EBUS-GS-VBN to be similar to EBUS in accuracy. Although the founding lesion time of EBUS-GS-VBN group were significantly shorter, the total examination time was longer. Furthermore, the complications of EBUS-GS-VBN group were fewer. There was no difference in genetic testing between the two groups. It is worth noting that the cost and radiation exposure was lower of EBUS group patients. Trial registration: retrospectively registered