Optimization of the Sensitivity of Histological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Nodules

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Nodule

• Registration Number: NCT05230992
• Lead Sponsor: Elsan

Brief Summary

In pulmonary oncology, the diagnosis of medium-sized pulmonary nodules (10 to 20 mm), too distal to be reached by standard bronchial fibroscopy but remaining proximal, is difficult.

There are 2 techniques: transthoracic puncture-biopsy under CT scan, usually performed by radiologists, and distal sampling guided by radial ultrasound mini-probe.

The limitations of the last technique could be overcome by the use of cryoprobes for sampling, as they would take more tissue by freezing.

Detailed Description

Concerning the interventional pneumology technique, it is performed in two steps: identification of the mass with the mini ultrasound probe and then distal sampling with a small biopsy forceps. Experience shows that there is a significant difference between the identification of the mass, which is fairly conclusive, and the samples, which are much less productive (60% at best), because it is necessary that :

* that the tumor is endo-bronchial,

* that the forceps open sufficiently to take samples by back and forth movements

* but, on the other hand, that the bronchus is not too wide.

The use of cryoprobes would allow to take more tissue by freezing. The target tissue freezes at the tip of the cryoprobe and can be detached by traction. The longer the freezing time, the more tissue is removed.

Various studies of endo-bronchial visible tumor diagnosis have compared these 2 sampling techniques (cryoprobe and conventional biopsy forceps). The cryoextraction technique performed by cryoprobes has a superior diagnostic yield (compared to flexible forceps biopsy) due to large biopsies and superior quality of the biopsied tissue (very few crush artifacts or hematomas; the morphological structure remains intact).

In this context, it seems interesting to compare these 2 techniques but in distal situation, under ultrasound detection with the mini-probes, for tumors not visible in endo-bronchial. The first samples taken in the investigating center by this technique are convincing.

In the framework of this study, in the same operating time and after ultrasound identification of the tumor, biopsies will be performed by conventional forceps (5 samples) and by cryoprobes (3 samples) on the same site. The sequence of use of one or the other technique will be randomly selected. Thus, each patient is his own control.

This first pilot study will explore the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of this procedure. Depending on the results of this comparative study, a second study including more patients will validate this procedure.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-09-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-01-28
• Study First Posted: 2022-02-09
• Study Start: 2022-11-05
• Primary Completion: 2023-11-30
• Study Completion: 2023-12-31
• Status Verified: 2024-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-02-13
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 14

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient with a tumor of any location with a draining bronchus (primary lung cancer or lung metastases)
• Suspected lung nodule(s) with anatomical situation on mid 1/3 CT
• Presence of at least one lung nodule of sufficient size on CT to allow for at least 8 tissue samples
• Male or female aged ≥ 18 years
• Mandatory membership in a health insurance plan
• Patient who has been informed about the study and has signed the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria

• Proximal or distal pulmonary nodule(s)
• Pacemaker patient
• Pregnant or nursing women
• Patients under legal protection

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Validity of samples by cryoprobes	Within 24 hours after intervention	Histological diagnosis from the material collected by cryoprobes and conventional forceps

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Specificity, sensitivity, and predictive values of each technique	Within 24 hours after intervention	specificity, sensitivity, predictive values
Tolerance and safety of the samples taken	15 Days after intervention	Collection of adverse events for the duration of the study.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pneumologie Elsan Santé Atlantique; 🇫🇷 Saint-Herblain, France