EBUS-guided mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-MCB) for undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy: A single-center experience

Introduction: Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guided trans-bronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a minimally invasive procedure for sampling mediastinal lymph nodes and central lesions which are situated near to airways.The diagnostic yield of EBUS TBNA is around 80 -90 %.But the diagnostic yield is lesser in rare tumours, lymphoma and some benign disorders like sarcoidosis.EBUS guided mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS -MCB) is one of the novel techniques in which a cryoprobe is used as a tool to obtain biopsy from mediastinal nodes/masses.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data collected in our centre of patients who underwent EBUS -MCB between January 2024 and December 2024.All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia, using a 1.1mm cryoprobe passed into the lymph nodes via a tract created by TBNA needles.The diagnostic yield and complications of the procedure are analysed.Results: During the study period, forty patients underwent EBUS-MCB.The major indication for EBUS MCB was for obtaining more sample for ancillary studies.Other indications were non-diagnostic aspirate on rapid onsite evaluation.The overall diagnostic yield was found to be 92.5% and the most common complication experienced was a minor self-limiting bleeding. Conclusion:EBUS guided mediastinal cryobiopsy has a diagnostic yield of 92.5% for diagnosing mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and an acceptable safety profile.