Usefulness of Transbronchial Cryobiopsy in Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a term that describes a group of more than 200 lung disorders that show varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. The etiology and pathophysiology of many of these disorders still remains poorly understood and is the topic of ongoing research and debate. The diagnostic approach to ILD can be complex and often requires a multidisciplinary team approach with involvement of a pulmonologist, radiologist and pathologist. A lung biopsy is often needed to determine the particular subcategory of interstitial lung disease. Unfortunately, conventional transbronchial biopsy with forceps has a very poor diagnostic yield in ILD.