From electrocautery, balloon dilatation, neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to argon plasma coagulation and cryotherapy

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been significant advancement in the development/application of therapeutics in thoracic diseases. Ablation methods using heat or cold energy in the airway is safe and effective for treating complex airway disorders including malignant and non-malignant central airway obstruction (CAO) without limiting the impact of future definitive therapy. Timely and efficient use of endobronchial ablative therapies combined with mechanical debridement or stent placement results in immediate relief of dyspnea for CAO. Therapeutic modalities reviewed in this article including electrocautery, balloon dilation (BD), neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, argon plasma coagulation (APC), and cryotherapy are often combined to achieve the desired results. This review aims to provide a clinically oriented review of these technologies in the modern era of interventional pulmonology (IP).

Introduction

The advancement in technology and miniaturization of tools and catheters has enhanced our ability to deliver therapeutics via small working channel of a bronchoscope. A variety of interventional bronchoscopic techniques are available to achieve immediate relief of central airway obstruction (CAO) with low morbidity and mortality (1). An integrated and individualized approach to the use of these complimentary modalities is required to achieve palliation at low cost and minimize hospitalization (2,3). Therapeutic bronchoscopy, both rigid and flexible, has a high technical success rate, improves dyspnea, and quality of life in malignant central airway obstruction (mCAO) with a low complication rates (4-6). Also, when combined with other modalities including surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy it may improve survival in select subgroup of patients (7,8). Likewise, these techniques are equally effective in the management of hemorrhagic complications of mCAO and immediate relief of non-malignant CAO. This has led to better patient care and outcomes in management of complex airway disorders. Physicians managing these patients should be versatile and have competency in multiple complementary modalities for optimal treatment outcomes. We provide a clinical review of use of these techniques for management of CAO.

Electrocautery

Electrocautery, often interchanged for electrosurgery (ESU), utilizes alternating high-frequency electric current passing through the probe to generate heat, which is applied to cut, coagulate, and/or vaporize tissue (9,10). There are two traditional modalities: (I) monopolar and (II) bipolar electrodes or devices. In monopolar electrodes, the most commonly used ESU modality, current flows from the generator through the active electrode, into the target tissue, through the patient, the dispersive electrode (grounding pad), and returns to the generator (11). The most common site of injury is at the patient return electrode, as such, this must be of low resistance with large enough surface area to disperse electrical current. In bipolar devices the active and return electrodes are located at the target tissue site, typically within the instrument tip. The heat generated is in direct proportion to the tissue resistance and inversely related to the vascularity and moisture content of the tissue. Electrocautery instruments commonly used with bronchoscopy include round probe, knife, wire snare, and forceps. A reusable electrocautery snare and knife is demonstrated in Figure 1A. A grounding plate, which is typically applied to the patient’s limb, allows for the electrons to leave the body when using electrocautery. The surgical effect is produced at the tip of the active electrode that due to its relatively small contact surface is the point in the circuit with the highest current density. The second electrode, i.e., the grounding plate, covers a large area discharging current while making heating here insignificant. A monopolar probe or device (snare, knife, or probe) is applied to the target after appropriate grounding to deliver energy in a controlled fashion to achieve tissue coagulation or devitalization (>60–80 °C), desiccation or drying (>100 °C), carbonization or charring (>150 °C), and vaporization or evaporation (>300 °C) based on intent and desired treatment effect (12). Its advantage is lower cost, ease of use, and wide availability in most hospitals. There are different vendors that supply ESU units and one by ConMed (Utica, NY) with pulmonary snare settings is demonstrated in Figure 1B though basic principle remains the same. The ESU combined with argon plasma coagulation (APC) units are commonly found in endoscopy units as they have applications for both gastroenterology and pulmonary in a single unit.

Figure 1.

Electrosurgery unit and devices. (A) Olympus^TM reusable electrocautery snare and knife catheter; (B) ConMed^TM ESU and APC unit with pulmonary snare settings. Preferred settings are saved for easy access from the menu. Energy settings are highlighted on the screen next to active monopolar device. Yellow paddle is depressed for electrocautery and blue paddle for APC function on this particular unit. Also, note that argon flow is set at 1.0 L/min with ConMed^TM pulmonary snare catheter due to catheter design and its flow properties.

Practical aspects of setting up the system are to save pre-determined settings for different monopolar devices for commonly desired function and have all team members in-serviced on device usage. Minor variations exist for different ESU units. We recommend a power setting of 20–40 W with a blend waveform that consists of a combination of cutting and coagulation to achieve hemostasis while cutting. The newer devices though allow automated settings for desired action, e.g., cutting, snaring of tumor, tumor destruction, etc. The device will adjust for power (Watts), voltage, cutting duration and interval, making it safer for common applications in the airway. Also, if the grounding is inadequate the device will not deliver energy and show a red light indicating that troubleshooting is needed. All team members must demonstrate basic understanding of ESU and should be in-serviced in safe use of the device.

Early reports by Hopper et al. established feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of electrocautery use in restoring airway lumen in patients with predominantly mCAO (13-15). The use of EC snare device is especially suited to remove pedunculated lesions with a small stalk (Figure 2). Studies evaluating immediate response as principle outcome have found success rate ranging from 69-100% with this modality even when done under local anesthesia with mild sedation using fiberoptic bronchoscopy (16-18). In a prospective study, use of electrocautery obviated the need for laser photo-resection in majority of patients with lesions amenable to electrocautery (19) and has been demonstrated to be more cost effective compared to neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (20). Successful use of electrocautery as primary ablation modality for both malignant and benign CAO has been reported in a large retrospective series with a low complication rate (21). Also, radiologically occult early lung cancer in patients not eligible for surgical resection has been successfully treated with electrocautery as sole modality (22,23). Electrocautery has also been successfully used for non-malignant central airway lesions including granulation tissue related to stents, papillomas, and airway stenosis (19). Its use in making radial incisions for mucosal sparing technique of balloon dilation (BD) in web type tracheal stenosis is as effective as when done using Nd:YAG laser (24,25). Radial incisions are typically made at 12, 3, and 9 o’clock positions for mucosal sparing effect, prior to balloon or rigid dilation of airway stenosis (Figure 3). A distinct advantage of endobronchial electrocautery is its ability to coagulate at the time of its application thus minimizing the bleeding risk. This has been demonstrated in a small study where endobronchial biopsies using a hot biopsy forceps (electrocautery forceps) was associated with statistically significant reduction in bleeding score (26). The use of “hot biopsy” forceps has not become standard practice due to tissue changes and artifact (27).

Figure 2.

Use of snare electrocautery for endobronchial tumor. (A) Complete obstruction of right lower lobe (RLL) ostium; (B) post-snare electrocautery with tumor base in the medial basal segment; (C) argon plasma coagulation to achieve additional tumor destruction and hemostasis.

Figure 3.

Use of electrocautery knife and balloon dilation for relief of severe tracheal stenosis. (A) Tracheal stenosis before electrocautery incision; (B) after radial incisions using electrocautery knife; (C) balloon dilation using a CRE balloon; (D) tracheal lumen post-balloon dilation.

Complications and precautions

Complications such as airway perforation, bronchial wall damage (27), and bleeding due to transmural perforation of airway wall into a vessel can occur. As such, meticulous attention should be drawn to the duration and power settings and it is recommended to use short bursts of energy with application limited to 1–2 s per pulse. Electrocautery consoles allow to save predetermined settings for use of different monopolar devices including snare, probe, and knife and this likely mitigates the risk of using incorrect settings and energy application.

Balloon dilatation

BD is a simple, rapid, and safe method to dilate an airway stenosis to improve luminal patency. Though initial reports described successful use of angioplasty balloon under fluoroscopic guidance for management of benign post-surgical or congenital tracheal stenosis in infants (28-30), it is now mostly performed under bronchoscopic guidance with or without other intervention techniques such as electrocautery release, laser destruction of tumor, or cryotherapy (31,32). BD results in immediate improvement in stenosis in almost all cases and offers an excellent short-term relief when used as a sole treatment modality (33). The long-term efficacy is to an extent dependent upon the pathophysiology of the underlying disease state such as in post-intubation/post-tracheotomy (34), tuberculosis (35-37), malignant (38,39), post-radiation (32), post-transplant anastomotic stenosis (40,41), sarcoidosis (32), etc. Additionally, location and complexity of the stenosis, use of adjunctive modalities, and response to treatment of underlying process such as chemotherapy and/or radiation for mCAO lesions play an important role. In most of the published large series evaluating balloon dilation in tracheobronchial stenosis, one-third to one-half of patients required other therapies including stent, laser, surgery, cryotherapy, and brachytherapy to manage symptomatic recurrences on long-term follow up (37-39,42).

BD requires appropriate equipment including balloon catheters e.g., angioplasty balloon catheter or controlled radial expansion (CRE^TM) balloon catheter, guide wire, and balloon insufflation device (Figure 4A-D). Wire guidance is used to bore through a high-grade stenosis or negotiate across an irregular stenosis though bronchoscopic guidance often obviates its need. Radial expanding BD is available in array of designs, lengths, and calibers. BD is made of low-compliance inflatable thermoplastic polymers that allow uniform and reproducible expansion to their specified diameter on inflation (43). Balloons are expanded by pressure injection of water or saline while hydraulic pressure of the balloon is monitored manometrically to gauge radial expansion force (Figure 4B).

Figure 4.

Bronchoscopic balloon dilation equipment. (A) Inflation device handle with insufflation syringe in neutral position; (B) pressure monitoring gauge; (C) guide-wire within an inflated balloon; (D) balloon insufflator device; (E) balloon inflation of in-stent stenosis.

BD is performed with our without fluoroscopy, either using a guide-wire directed or direct bronchoscopic visualization method depending upon the availability of equipment and operator expertise. Fluoroscopy may be required for BD when performing a modified seldinger technique over a guide wire. The balloon catheters have radiopaque markers at the proximal and distal ends of the balloon for fluoroscopic visualization. Our preferred method is to use a CRE^TM balloon catheter via a 2.8 mm or larger working channel of bronchoscope or a rigid bronchoscope. This provides direct visualization and maximal control of the balloon catheter while maintaining oxygenation and ventilation pre-/post-dilation. Also, it provides ability to assess mucosal change and visualization of distal lumen as the bronchoscope is advanced on to the transparent inflated balloon while maintaining traction on the proximal end of balloon catheter and counter-traction with the scope (Figure 3C,4E,5A). It is critical to select an appropriate size of the balloon, both length and inflatable diameter, as too small of a length will result in slipping of the balloon and too long of a catheter could potentially result in distal airway trauma. Bronchoscopic estimation of the airway caliber proximal to stenosis usually provides a reasonable estimate of the desired post-dilation diameter though one must carefully assess tissue integrity and distensibility of the stenotic airway wall to minimize injury. The inflation times vary from 30 to 120 s and vary with clinical tolerance of the patient, achievement of desired objectives, and operator preferences. In general a graded and incremental dilation with repeated inflation/deflation cycles progressing to desired luminal diameter is recommended. This allows operator to assess tissue distensibility and elasticity to interplay and likely prevent airway tears.

Figure 5.

Balloon dilation and management of bronchial tear. (A) Bronchoscopic visualization through inflated CRE balloon providing optimal dilation; (B) bronchial tear from balloon dilation of a post-radiation fibrotic narrowing of bronchus intermedius; (C) management of bronchial tear with placement of balloon expandable covered metal stent.

Complications and precautions

BD is a relatively safe procedure. Even so, one must be aware of potential complications including mucosal, deep mucosal, and transmural tear (44,45) (Figure 5B), bleeding, pneumomediastinum, and pneumothorax (39,42,46). Mild amount of mucosal bleed is usually observed after balloon dilation and often does not require any intervention. A small airway wall tear and/or resultant symptomatic pneumomediastinum may be managed by placement of a covered metal stent (Figure 5C) and/or surgical correction.

Nd-YAG: laser

Laser has been particularly successful in treating tumors obstructing central airways and benign airway stenosis (47-52). Unlike electrocautery, it delivers a non-contact light energy via a catheter. Its ability to photocoagulate/vaporize/cut obstructing tissue before mechanical debulking or excision (Figure 6A,B) potentially allows for improved control of bleeding in the airway during bronchoscopy (49,53). While there are several forms of lasers, the property of photocoagulation/vaporization/cutting is based primarily on the wavelength of the laser. The Nd:YAG laser is the best described laser for use with bronchoscopy, which emits light at a wavelength of 1,064 nm and has balanced properties in ability to photo coagulate or vaporize tumor and cut stenotic lesions (54). See Table 1 for comparison of different types of lasers and its effect on tissue. Laser application is performed with either a rigid or flexible bronchoscope (50). Rigid bronchoscopy is preferred by some authors as it provides wide operating channel, the patient can be ventilated, blood and secretions aspirated, and laser coagulation utilized (49,53). However, flexible bronchoscope allows easier access to the more distal airways that may require greater angulation. The optimal delivery of the laser is primarily determined by the distance of using the laser/tissue absorption of the laser and anatomic location (54,55).

Figure 6.

Laser destruction and mechanical debridement of CAO from malignant tumor. (A) Exophytic intra-tracheal tumor (large base of the stalk); (B) post-laser destruction and mechanical debridement with rigid bronchoscope and resultant immediate relief of symptoms.

Table 1. Comparison of different laser types and its tissue effect.

Laser	Wavelength (nm)	Cauterization and vaporization characteristics
		Coagulation	Vaporization/cutting
CO2	10,600	+	+++
Excimer	300	+	+++
KTP	532	++	+++
Nd:YAG	1,064	++	++
Nd:YAP	1,340	+++	+

Nd:YAG, neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; Nd:YAP, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-perovskite.

Initial reports of effectiveness of laser bronchoscopy in achieving relief of obstruction from mCAO and non-malignant CAO in very large series established credence of this modality in achieving excellent palliation (49,53). Lesions most amenable to laser therapy are central, intrinsic, short (<4 cm), with a visible distal endobronchial lumen. When lesions meet these criteria, potency can be res-established in more than 90% of cases (1,51,52,56,57). Combination therapy with radiation has shown to prolong the relief of symptoms and lessen disease progression (58,59). Further, patients undergoing multi-modality treatment with laser and brachytherapy may have improved survival compared to laser treatment alone (7,60). This may be attributable to relief of airway obstruction and improved performance status and patient’s ability to undergo multimodality treatment. Additionally, endobronchial laser has been reported to have successfully used in destruction of broncholith (61), resection of post-transplant granulation tissue (62), endobronchial amyloidosis (63) and endobronchial endometriosis (64).

One disadvantage of Nd:YAG laser is its high cost and possible alternatives are APC and cryotherapy systems. However, lasers offer a deeper penetration, non-contact method of delivery, and offer a balance photocoagulation/vaporization. Comparative depth of penetration of different ablative modalities is summarized in Table 2. Similar to electrocautery/APC, airway fire is a risk and a decreased FiO₂ should be performed during its active use (56,65).

Table 2. Comparative properties of various ablative modalities.

Modality	Tissue contact	Depth of penetration
Electrocautery	Yes	Variable
Nd:YAG and Nd:YAP	No	Up to 10 mm
APC	No	2-3 mm
Cryotherapy	Yes (except spray cryo)	2-5 mm

Nd:YAG, neodymium-doped:yttrium-aluminum-garnet; Nd:YAP, neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-perovskite.

Complications and precautions

Safety of Nd:YAG laser in the airway procedures has been well established. Even so, particular attention should be directed to keep power settings less than 40 W, pulse duration of 0.5 to 1 s, and should always be aimed parallel to the airway to avoid perforation. Significant complications developed in fewer than 5% of case, and in summary of close to 7,000 laser treatment the overall complication rate was 0.99% (1). Reported complications include a very low incidence of bleeding, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, or death (57). The mortality has been attributed to systemic air embolism as a result of high flow of air coolant and contact probes. It is recommended that non-contact mode be used whenever possible while keeping the coaxial coolant air flow at minimum level (66).

Argon plasma coagulation (APC)

APC is an application of gas discharges in argon in ESU (67). It offers the simplicity and low cost of an electrocoagulator with the non-contact approach of an Nd:YAG laser. The major application fields are hemostasis, tissue devitalization, and tissue destruction. It was first introduced in open surgery (68) and later adapted for use in endoscopy (69,70), and its effective use in airway was first described for treatment of hemoptysis and neoplastic airway obstruction (71-73). Due to the superficial effect and need to remove eschar over treated tissue for additional devitalization, APC is often used as part of a multi-modality approach for tumor debulking (6,74,75). Benign tumors including leiomyomas, hamartomas, pleomorphic adenomas, granular cell tumors, and carcinoids have also been treated with APC alone or in combination (76,77). Non-malignant disease states such as granulation tissue associated with airway stents and surgical anastomosis along with respiratory papillomas have been successfully managed with APC (78-81). For endobronchial vascular lesions, APC has been shown to be highly effective. These include hemangiomas, fibrosing mediastinitis, and Dieulafoy lesions (82-85).

An APC delivery system is composed of an argon gas cylinder, a computer controlled high-frequency electrosurgical generator with a gas-flow controlling valve, and an endoscopic probe. This is typically mounted on the ESU unit as a combination unit (Figure 1B) for ease of use and functionality. Similar to electrocautery, a grounding plate is required for the electrons current to leave the body. Unlike electrocautery, it is a non-contact modality using the principle of ionized gas to deliver current to the desired tissue. Inert argon gas is converted to ionized argon gas, plasma, via an electrode contained within the probe. Once gas flow, electrical energy, mode, and pulse time are selected on the console, the device is controlled during the procedure with a foot pedal switch. Increased resistance created by coagulation and desiccation of the tissue limits the depth of penetration. This makes APC ideal for hemostasis and reduces the risk of injury to vital mediastinal tissues, conversely, this limits its energy penetration depth for cauterization and destruction. The cauterization and devitalization effect of APC along with balloon dilation is demonstrated in Figure 7. Additionally, as the plasma is ignited at the tip of the probe, it seeks the nearest electro-conductive area. This allows for tangential treatment of lesions or around bends where head-on alignment of the probe with the lesion is not attainable.

Figure 7.

Use of APC and balloon dilation in management of malignant airway stenosis. (A) Bronchial stenosis with vascular engorgement; (B) APC catheter in position for coagulation and tissue destruction; (C) debridement of post-APC necrotic tumor tissue; (D) balloon dilation after debridement of tumor tissue; (E) bronchial lumen post-dilation.

Practical aspects of system setup include power (watts), gas flow rate, and mode of energy delivery. Increased power results in more rapid devitalization of tissue and deeper penetration, but can increase the risk of perforation. Gas flow should be set at the lowest possible rate for desired tissue effect in order to reduce the risk of gas embolization. The mode can be set to either forced or pulsed. Forced mode entails continuous delivery of energy resulting in more rapid tissue devitalization and hemostasis. In contrast, pulsed mode sends intermittent bursts of energy to the tissue, resulting in a more superficial effect. In either mode, subtle movement of the probe in a “painting” motion with the catheter extending approximately one centimeter from the bronchoscope to avoid accidental damage is advocated. Our preferred method and initial settings are forced coagulation mode with the lowest power and flow rate to achieve the desired effect. Due to minor differences in probe characteristics, we recommend 30 W-0.8 L/min for ERBE (Germany) and 25 W-0.4 L/min for ConMed (Utica, NY) systems. Above settings are displayed on the respective APC consoles along with examples of individual probes (Figure 8A-E). Non-contact nature of energy delivery to target tissue using an ERBE probe is also illustrated (Figure 8C).

Figure 8.

APC and electrocautery equipment. (A) ERBE^TM electrocautery and APC unit; (B) ConMed^TM electrocautery and APC unit; (C) APC in use demonstrating non-contact nature of tissue ablation; (D) ConMed^TM APC catheter with ceramic tip; (F) ERBE APC catheter.

Complications and precautions

APC has a high safety profile, however, deaths from intracardiac gas embolism resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest (86), and cerebral gas embolism (87) have been reported when the gas flow rate exceeded 1-2 L/min. In animal models, gas emboli are noted even at lower flow rates of 0.5 L/min with the power set at 20 W (88). In clinical practice this can be avoided by keeping the flow to less than 0.8 L/min. Airway perforation has been described at a rate of 1.4% in a large series of patients undergoing APC (71). This risk can be minimized by keeping the applications short (1-2 s), using the above recommended flow settings, minimizing the power, and maintaining a safe distance of 2-5 mm between probe and tissue.

General precautions during use of heat energy in the airway

All types of heat energy use in the airway require airway fire safety protocols to be implemented and followed at an individual institution. Generation of an airway fire requires three items: (I) an oxidizer (oxygen or nitrous oxide); (II) an ignition source (electrocautery, laser, APC); and (III) a fuel (stents, endotracheal tube, bronchoscope). During therapeutic bronchoscopy with thermal energy, the ignition source comes in contact with the oxidizer rich environment and may result in airway fire. As such, it is imperative that FiO₂ be decreased to <40% during these procedures, avoid using near ETT or covered metal and silicone stents, and use short bursts of energy at appropriate device settings (89,90). In patients with implanted permanent pacemakers or cardioverters caution must be exercised with use of electrocautery or APC and interrogation of cardiac devices should be performed if any intra-procedural event occurs. One should also avoid placement of the grounding pad on the skin over metallic prosthesis to prevent energy discharge into the prosthesis and resultant burn injury (90). Additional safety precautions are required when laser is in use including use safety glasses by all personnel and placement of placards outside the procedure room to avoid inadvertent injury to health care professionals (90,91). To enhance patient safety, one must have knowledge of institution fire safety protocols, perform fire safety drills and simulation training, assess high risk situation and facilitate team discussion, minimize or avoid oxidizer and safely manage ignition sources and potential fuel (89).

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is based on cytotoxic effects of cold on living tissue. The description of destroying tumors using low temperatures was first detailed in 1851 by Arnott (92), though it was not until a century later when its therapeutic effects in malignant lesions were reported (93). The application of cold energy employs the principle of Joule-Thompson effect; rapid cooling of gas upon sudden expansion from high to a low pressure (94). Application of cold energy to tissue, with repeated freeze thaw cycle, results in appearance of intra and extra-cellular ice crystals and resultant damage to intracellular organelles, in particular mitochondria (94,95). Cytodestruction varies according to rapidity of freeze thaw cycle, distance from center of application, and vascularity of tumor (96). Collagen, cartilage, or poorly vascularized tissues are relatively cryoresistant. As such, the extracellular matrix of tissue is preserved and explains healing with minimal scarring (97).

Currently, the methods of cryogen delivery that are commercially available in the USA and most suited for use in airway include: (I) reusable contact cryoprobe (rigid and flexible) with a probe tip cooled by gas decompression in the probe head using nitrous oxide (N₂O) and an exit temperature of −89.5 °C (ERBE, Germany); (II) Spray Cryo with a catheter tip facilitating delivery of gaseous liquid nitrogen (N₂) generating a spray and an exit temperature of −196 °C (CSA medical, Baltimore, MD). Cryotherapy units consist of a console that regulates flow of cryogen, typically via a foot pedal. A cryotherapy unit with pressurized N₂O gas tank is shown in Figure 9A. Flexible cryoprobes come in two sizes, 1.9 mm (Figure 9B) and 2.4 mm, for use with minimal working channel diameter of 2.0 and 2.8 mm respectively. Rigid cryoprobes are larger and may allow for rapid thawing and resultant shorter procedure time. Spray cryotherapy unit (Figure 9C) has similar console except N₂ release is more controlled and either active or appropriate passive ventilation is required during the procedure. A 7-Fr catheter (Figure 9D) that requires a minimum of 2.8 mm working channel is used to deliver the cryogen. It is currently approved in USA by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a cryosurgical tool in the fields of dermatology, gynecology, and general surgery to ablate benign and malignant lesions.

Figure 9.

Cryotherapy equipment. (A) ERBE^TM contact cryotherapy console with manometer gauge showing N₂O pressure around 50 bar (see inset); (B) cryoprobe with 1.9 mm tip (see inset); (C) spray cryotherapy console CSA medical^TM; (D) spray cryotherapy catheter and its distal tip (see inset).

The introduction of closed tip cryoprobe by Cooper and Lee paved path for local tumor destruction in different anatomic sites (93). Subsequently others reported their successes in management of refractory airway strictures (98,99) and offer palliation in malignant strictures of tracheobronchial tree (100,101). Experience of Homasson et al. with cryoprobe ablation in a large series of patients with predominantly malignant airway strictures via a rigid bronchoscope (96,101) led to the development of prototype for a more flexible, longer, and smaller tip cryoprobe that is currently in use via flexible bronchoscopy for distal tumors or strictures. Cryotherapy has been highly successful for treatment of granulation tissue (Figure 10) (Figure 10A,F) in particular post-transplantation anastomosis (102-104), tracheostomy and stent related granulation tissue (105,106). When managing stent related granulation tissue, it offers a distinct advantage over other modalities such as electrocautery, APC, or Nd:YAG laser as there is no risk of airway fire. Also, cryotherapy is very effective in removal of foreign body with high water content including blood clots (Figure 10C), aspirated food material (Figure 10D), mucus plugs, endobronchial Aspergilloma (Figure 10E), and even a chewing gum (107-109). Its effectiveness in benign trachea-bronchial lesions including lipoma, endobronchial polyp, and bronchial amyloidosis has been reported as well (110). Spray cryotherapy has limited safety/efficacy data as this a newer application of cryotherapy (111,112).

Figure 10.

Cryotherapy application for various disease states. (A) Cryotherapy application for destruction of granulation tissue resulting in stenosis; (B) blood clot occluding right lower lobe (RLL) ostium; (C) cryoextraction of blood clot “cast”; (D) cryoextraction of aspirated “hot-dog”; (E) cryoextraction of Aspergilloma; (F) spray cryotherapy destruction of granulation tissue; (H) cryoprobe (2.4 mm probe) biopsy of endotracheal tumor; (I) site of endotracheal tumor cryobiopsy; (J) tracheal lumen post cryorecanalization using 2.4 mm flexible cryoprobe.

Cytodestruction of tumor is achieved by rapid freezing of the cryoprobe or application of spray for instantaneous freeze with higher efficacy being suggested by several overlapping short freezing spots in tumoral tissue (96). As the effects of cryotherapy are delayed, unless cryorecanalization using cryoadhesion is performed, additional modality is usually required to achieve rapid relief from tumor causing mCAO. Cryotherapy has been demonstrated to achieve effective palliation in patients with inoperable cancer and bronchial obstruction with improvement in symptoms, quality of life, and Karnofsky performance scores (113-116). Applying principles of cryoadhesion, cryorecanalization (Figure 10H,I) has been successfully performed for rapid relief from tumor obstruction (74,75). This may require a complimentary modality such as APC to achieve hemostasis for bleeding at the site of tumor base (75). Additionally, cryotherapy has been used in laser-assisted mechanical resection for treating the residual tumor (94,117) and in early superficial bronchogenic carcinoma where a close bronchoscopic and radiologic surveillance is advocated given a high local recurrence rate (118). Limited data of cryotherapy in conduction with radiation and chemotherapy has been promising though larger controlled studies are needed to further support this rationale (119-121).

The cryodestructive role of cryotherapy in benign and malignant lesions is well established; however its role in enhancing diagnostic yield is evolving. Cryobiopsy of endobronchial lesions (Figure 10G,H) has been shown to be safe and increases the diagnostic yield when compared with conventional forceps biopsy (122,123). Its safety and feasibility has been demonstrated in small series for diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (124,125), lung transplant surveillance (126,127), and immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates (128). Likewise, it has been feasible to obtain cryobiopsies via guide-sheath for peripheral lung nodules under endobronchial ultrasound guidance using a 1.2 mm cryoprobe (129). Thus, transbronchial cryobiopsy is a promising technique though additional large studies need to validate its safety and diagnostic yield in diffuse parenchymal lung disease (130).

Complications and precautions

Contact cryotherapy has a high safety profile. At the recommended energy delivery the collagen network is preserved and the bronchial cartilage is relatively cryoresistant thus minimizing the risk of tissue necrosis and perforation. Transient fever following cryotherapy has been observed and may be associated with cell necrosis (94). Airway sloughing of necrotic material can be abundant and obstruct the lumen, often requiring “toilet” bronchoscopy few days after cryotherapy. Bleeding following cryotherapy can be easily controlled by application of APC emphasizing possible need for multi-modality approach. Reported complications with spray cryotherapy include barotrauma, intra-operative deaths, and concerns of gas embolism (131).

Conclusions

Ablative techniques used during bronchoscopy offer a safe and effective modality for the treatment of CAO. Competency in multiple ablative modalities may provide optimal patient outcome.