Karl-Josef Franke

Background: Regular physical activity is associated with reduced mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Interventions to reduce time spent in sedentary behavior could improve outcomes. The primary purpose was to investigate the impact of telemonitoring with supportive phone calls on daily exercise times with newly established home exercise bicycle training. The secondary aim was to examine the potential improvement in health-related quality of life and physical activity compared to baseline. Methods: This prospective crossover-randomized study was performed over 6 months in stable COPD patients. The intervention phase (domiciliary training with supporting telephone calls) and the control phase (training without phone calls) were randomly assigned to the first or the last 3 months. In the intervention phase, patients were called once a week if they did not achieve a real-time monitored daily cycle time of 20 minutes. Secondary aims were evaluated at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Health-related quality of life was measured by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), physical activity by the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Results: Of the 53 included patients, 44 patients completed the study (forced expiratory volume in 1 second 47.5%±15.8% predicted). In the intervention phase, daily exercise time was significantly higher compared to the control phase (24.2±9.4 versus 19.6±10.3 minutes). Compared to baseline (17.6±6.1), the CAT-score improved in the intervention phase to 15.3±7.6 and in the control phase to 15.7±7.3 units. The GLTEQ-score increased from 12.2±12.1 points to 36.3±16.3 and 33.7±17.3. Conclusion: Telemonitoring is a simple method to enhance home exercise training and physical activity, improving health-related quality of life.

Background: Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a minimally invasive procedure to establish a diagnosis of interstitial lung disease though with the disadvantage that samples have to be extracted together with the bronchoscope. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new cryoprobe with which biopsy samples can be obtained through the working channel of the flexible bronchoscope. Methods: The feasibility of obtaining transbronchial specimens with TBCB was tested and the technique was compared to transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB) in a prospectively randomized ex vivo animal study using a standard flexible bronchoscopy technique. The rate of successful biopsies and the duration of the sampling procedure were recorded for both methods. Size and quality of the biopsies were histologically evaluated and measured. Results: Biopsy samples could be obtained in 93.3% of TBCB and in 79.0% of TBFB procedures (p = 0.182). Sampling procedure time did not differ in any clinically relevant manner between the two methods. The mean specimen area of TBCB samples was significantly higher compared to that of TBFB samples (8.08 ± 5.80 vs. 2.61 ± 2.14 mm²; p < 0.0001). TBCB specimens showed less artifacts and a significantly higher percentage of alveolar tissue (53.57 vs. 25.42%; p = 0.0285) than TBFB specimens. Conclusions: It is feasible to retrieve TBCB samples of good quality and size with the new mini cryoprobe through the working channel of the bronchoscope, while the bronchoscope remains within the central airways throughout the whole procedure. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy in an in vivo setting.

Increasingly frequent, it is clinically indicated to obtain tissue from a peripheral lung lesion (PLL) to yield a pathological diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and transbronchial catheter aspiration (TBCA) in addition to transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBB) at conventional bronchoscopy. Eligible patients showing a PLL on computed tomography scans were included in the study. In all patients, following TBB, TBNA and TBCA were employed in randomised order under fluoroscopy. Fourty-eight patients were enrolled, of whom 46 patients with 46 PLLs were included in the analysis. The mean ± SD diameter of the PLL was 27.0 ± 13.3 mm. The overall sensitivity for all modalities was 69.6 %; PLL ≤20 or >20 and ≤30 mm in diameter showed a sensitivity of 60.0 and 72.2 %, respectively. For malignant PLL (n = 33), the combined sensitivity of TBNA + TBCA versus TBB was significantly higher (63.6 vs. 33.3 %, p ≤ 0.05), and could not further be improved by TBB. For benign PLL, TBB was superior to TBNA + TBCA (76.9 vs. 38.5 %). TBB, TBNA and TBCA are complementary to one another. Combining the three techniques, even allows transbronchial specimen collection of PLL <3 cm in diameter at conventional bronchoscopy.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a standard procedure for intrathoracic lymph node biopsies. The newly developed cryo-needle operates in a similar way to the EBUS-TBNA but is able to obtain specimens for histological evaluation. The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the feasibility, effect, and safety of the cryo-needle biopsies. Four EBUS-guided cryo-needle biopsies were obtained from a mediastinal lymph node of a healthy pig. In an open surgery approach, cryo-needle biopsies using activation times of 1, 2, and 3 s (A1/A2/A3) and needle biopsies using a 21-gauge EBUS-TBNA needle were obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes. Cryo-needle biopsies A2 were performed with (A2+) and without (A2−) an oversheath. The size, weight, percentage of lymphatic tissue and artefact-free area of each cryobiopsy were evaluated. Smears were made with the TBNA-needle aspirates to determine the number of lymphocytes per high-power field (HPF). The bleeding duration was measured. We successfully obtained EBUS-guided cryo-needle biopsies. The area and weight of the biopsies A3 and A2+ were significantly larger compared with A1 (1.7 ± 0.8 and 1.4 ± 0.3 vs. 0.9 ± 0.4 mm²; 5.2 ± 2.4 and 3.4 ± 1.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.7 mg). The percentage of lymphatic tissue of the cryobiopsies was 90 ± 25 and 98 % of samples were artefact-free. The number of lymphocytes/HPF of TBNA-needle smears was 128 ± 54.3. There was no difference in bleeding duration between the techniques. The cryo-needle yields large histological specimens of high quality.

Background Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS–TBNA) provides material for the cytological diagnostic workup. To improve the evaluation of unexplained intrathoracic lymphadenopathy, the availability of material for histological evaluation would be desirable. For this purpose, the technique of endobronchial ultrasound-guided mediastinal forceps biopsy (EBUS-guided forceps biopsy) is a potentially good candidate. The aim of the present study was, using simple methodology, to establish the additional diagnostic yield provided by supplemental EBUS-guided forceps biopsy in comparison with EBUS–TBNA alone. Methods The data of 50 consecutive patients with mediastinal, lobar, and hilar space-consuming lesions were analyzed. In all patients, immediately following EBUS–TBNA with a 22-gauge needle, a 21-gauge forceps was introduced through the opening created in the bronchial wall and an EBUS-guided forceps biopsy performed. The improvement in the diagnostic yield was determined. The diagnostic yield of the EBUS-guided forceps biopsy in relation to the size of the biopsy specimen and that of the EBUS–TBNA in relation to the cell-block technique were determined. Results Combining the techniques increased the diagnostic sensitivity of the EBUS–TBNA from 50.0 to 82.0%. EBUS-guided forceps biopsies measuring ≥3 mm enabled a specific diagnosis to be established more often than did forceps biopsies <3 mm (90.9% vs. 57.1%). A cell block was prepared in 29 patients. In this case, EBUS–TBNA provided a higher diagnostic yield (65.5% vs. 28.6%) compared to cytology alone. Conclusion EBUS-guided forceps biopsy should be employed for the bronchoscopic diagnosis of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy of unknown etiology.

For transbronchial biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions manouevering the biopsy instrument into acutely angulated subsegmental ostia is frequently problematic. The aim of the present study was to compare the stiffness of various biopsy instruments with regard to their use in the clinical setting. The maximal anterograde and retrograde bending angles, were measured for various bronchoscopes and biopsy instruments. Measurement was made with the distal tip of the biopsy instrument either flush with the distal end of the bronchoscope, or extending 1.5 cm beyond it. The following scopes and biopsy instruments were investigated: 1. the 6.2 mm outside diameter (OD) bronchoscope, with the 2.4 mm OD forceps, 0.7 mm needle, 2.3 mm catheter, and the 1.9 mm cryoprobe. 2. the 5.1 mm OD bronchoscope, with the 1.8 mm forceps, 0.7 mm needle, and the 1.8 mm catheter. 3. the 3.7 mm bronchoscope, with the 1.0 mm forceps and the 0.8 mm forceps. Maximum angulation was greater by 35.4° with the needle extended, vis-à-vis the needle "flush". Both needle and catheter were associated with a greater angulation of up to 20.5° in comparison with the forceps. With an instrument in the working channel the largest anterograde angles were measured for the 5.1 mm bronchoscope, and the largest retrograde angles for the 6.2 mm bronchoscope. When selecting the optimal instrument for transbronchial biopsy specimen collection, account must be taken of the fact that the degree of angulation will depend on the type and diameter of the instrument employed.

Background: Decannulation failure is usually due to tracheal obstruction. Prior to decannulation, inspection by the invasive procedure of bronchoscopy that permits morphological evaluation of a tracheal stenosis is standard practice. A non-invasive method enabling the quantification of the airway obstruction that requires little cooperation is measurement of the airway resistance by the forced oscillation technique. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to define oscillatory impedance thresholds which predict successful decannulation. Methods: A total of 131 patients were investigated prospectively. Step 1: Following probatory decannulation, measurement of the oscillatory impedance. Step 2: Blinded to the results of the impedance measurement, bronchoscopy-assisted decannulation attempt. The criteria for renewed cannulation were high-grade laryngeal or tracheal obstruction, dyspnea or stridor, or a drop in SaO2 <90% under O2 insufflation. Statistics: Determination of the ratio tracheal tube remains/tracheal tube removed (TT+/TT–) for every measured value of the oscillatory resistance at 5 Hz (Ros 5 Hz). Determination of specificity and positive predictive value for determined threshold values with respect to TT–. Results: The data of 126 patients were evaluated. TT+ n = 26, TT– n = 100. Decannulation on the basis of bronchoscopy criteria: Specificity and positive predictive value found out for Ros 5 Hz <0.35 kPa/l/s (n = 44) were 1.00 and 1.00, respectively, and for Ros 5 Hz <0.47 kPa/l/s (n = 71) 0.88 and 0.96, respectively. Conclusions: Measurement of the oscillatory airway resistance represents a practicable method prior to decannulation. Below a value of Ros 5 Hz <0.35 kPa/l/s, bronchoscopy would appear not to be necessary.

Background: Cryoextraction is a procedure used for the recanalization of obstructed airways caused by visible exophytic endobronchial tumor. Biopsy samples obtained by this technique have been shown to be useful for histological assessment. Objectives: The aim of the present animal study was to systematically evaluate biopsy size, histological quality and bleeding risk after cryobiopsy with new, flexible cryoprobes in comparison with forceps biopsy, serving as the gold standard. Methods: Biopsies were obtained from anesthetized pigs with the flexible bronchoscopy technique, and evaluated histologically with respect to their size and quality. Bleeding frequency, bleeding duration and histological changes in the biopsy bed were also recorded. Results: Cryobiopsies were significantly larger than forceps biopsies. The size of cryobiopsies was dependent on the freezing time. The histological quality of the cryobiopsy specimenswas not impaired by the freezing process, whereas forceps biopsies showed typical crush artifacts. Despite the larger defects left in the tracheobronchial system after cryobiopsy, bleeding frequency and duration were not higher compared to forceps biopsy. Conclusions: Since cryobiopsy sampling is not associated with a higher bleeding risk compared with forceps biopsy, this new biopsy technique offers – in addition to a good specimen quality – a safe and valuable tool with the potential of improving the outcome of diagnostic endoscopy.

Cryoextraction is a procedure for recanalization of obstructed airways caused by exophytic growing tumors. Biopsy samples obtained with this method can be used for histological diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the parameters influencing the size of cryobiopsies in an in vitro animal model. New flexible cryoprobes with different diameters were used to extract biopsies from lung tissue. These biopsies were compared with forceps biopsy (gold standard) in terms of the biopsy size. Tissue dependency of the biopsy size was analyzed by comparing biopsies taken from the lung, the liver, and gastric mucosa. The effect of contact pressure exerted by the tip of the cryoprobe on the tissue was analyzed on liver tissue separately. Biopsy size was estimated by measuring the weight and the diameter. Weight and diameter of cryobiopsies correlated positively with longer activation times and larger diameters of the cryoprobe. The weight of the biopsies was tissue dependent: lung < liver < stomach. Only little tissue dependency was found for the biopsy diameter. The biopsy size increased when the probe was pressed on the tissue during cooling. Cryobiopsies can be taken from different tissue types with flexible cryoprobes. The size of the samples depends on tissue type, probe diameter, application time, and pressure exerted by the probe on the tissue. Even the cryoprobe with the smallest diameter can provide larger biopsies than a forceps biopsy in lung. It can be expected that the same parameters influence the sample size of biopsies in vivo.