2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.04D.06 Observation of Peripheral Airways Using Ultra-Thin Fiberscope

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The study conducted by Kinoshita, Oka, and Ohtsuka from The Jikei University in Tokyo reports on advancements in observing peripheral airway lesions using an ultra-thin fiberscope called LYU (Laser-eYe Ultra-thin fiberscope). Traditionally, diagnosing peripheral lung lesions tends to rely on computed tomography, with endoscopies being less common. Current bronchoscopic biopsy techniques have a diagnostic yield of approximately 70% for nodules located in peripheral lung regions, prompting the need for more effective methods.<br /><br />The researchers developed a 0.97 mm diameter ultra-thin optical fiberscope, capable of accessing and observing peripheral lung fields. This innovation allows visualization of peripheral airway lesions in resected human lungs under negative pressure conditions. The device provides simultaneous imaging and phototherapy, highlighting its potential in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.<br /><br />Several case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach include a 75-year-old male with stage IA adenocarcinoma, a 76-year-old male ex-smoker with stage IA squamous cell carcinoma, and an 80-year-old male ex-smoker with the same carcinoma type complicated by interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. These cases illustrate potential improvements in identifying lesions at the alveolar level, a notable advancement in pulmonary diagnostics.<br /><br />The study concludes that this is the first successful attempt to use a sub-1 mm fiberscope for observing human lung lesions, paving the way for further clinical trials. Future steps aim at integrating LYU-guided diagnosis with phototherapy for enhanced medical outcomes. The development marks a groundbreaking approach in respiratory medicine, offering a promising tool for improved diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lung diseases.

Asset Subtitle

Tomonari KINOSHITA

Meta Tag

Speaker Tomonari KINOSHITA

Topic Screening and Early Detection

Keywords

ultra-thin fiberscope

peripheral airway lesions

LYU

bronchoscopic biopsy

pulmonary diagnostics

phototherapy

lung cancer

interstitial pulmonary fibrosis

respiratory medicine

clinical trials