Solitary Lung Nodule: CT-Guided Transthoracic Biopsy vs Transbronchial Biopsy With Endobronchial Ultrasound and Flexible Bronchoscope, a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy with radial endobronchial ultrasound (rEBUS-TBB) and Computed tomography (CT) scan-guided transthoracic biopsy (CT-TTB) are commonly used to investigate peripheral lung nodules but high-quality data are still not clear about the diagnostic and safety profile comparison of these two modalities.

Method: We included all randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing rEBUS-TBB with a flexible bronchoscope and CT-TTB for solitary lung nodules. Two reviewers extracted data independently on diagnostic performance and complication rates.

Results: 170 studies were screened, 4 RCT with a total of 325 patients were included. CT-TTB had a higher diagnostic yield than rEBUS-TBB (83.45% vs 68.82%, risk difference - 0.15, 95% CI, [- 0.24, - 0.05]), especially for lesion size 1-2 cm (83% vs 50%, risk difference - 0.33, 95% CI, [- 0.51, - 0.14]). For malignant diseases, rEBUS-TBB had a diagnostic yield of 75.75% vs 87.7% of CT-TTB. rEBUS-TBB had a significant better safety profile with lower risks of pneumothorax (2.87% vs 21.43%, OR = 0.12, 95% CI [0.05-0.32]) and combined outcomes of hospital admission, hemorrhage, and pneumothorax (8.62% vs 31.81%, OR 0.21, 95% CI, [0.11-0.40]). Factors increasing diagnostic yield of rEBUS were lesion size and localization of the probe but not the distance to the chest wall and hilum.

Conclusion: CT-TTB had a higher diagnostic yield than rEBUS-TBB in diagnosing peripheral lung nodules, particularly for lesions from 1 to 2 cm. However, rEBUS-TBB was significantly safer with five to eight times less risk of pneumothorax and composite complications of hospital admission, hemorrhage, and pneumothorax. The results of this study only apply to flexible bronchoscopy with radial ebus without navigational technologies. More data are needed for a comparison between CT-TTB with rEBUS-TBB combined with advanced navigational modalities.