The utility of transbronchial cryobiopsy performed under conscious sedation for interstitial lung diseases in a resource- constrained setting

<b>What the study adds.</b> There is a paucity of evidence for the use of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) for the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in resource-constrained settings, especially when performed under conscious sedation. In this pilot study, TBLC performed under conscious sedation was safe and well tolerated, and had a high diagnostic yield.<b>Implications of the findings.</b> TBLC under conscious sedation can safely be rolled out in resource-constrained settings as a first-line diagnostic procedure when lung tissue needs to be obtained in patients with ILD, as its yield is comparable to TBLC under general anaesthesia. It potentially avoids surgical lung biopsy in >80% of cases, together with the need for general anaesthesia.