Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy performed in acute COVID-19 pneumonia: first report

Adv Respir Med. 2021;89(1):72-74. doi: 10.5603/ARM.a2021.0032.

Abstract

A COVID-19 diagnosis is usually based on PCR detection of viral RNA in airway specimens in a patient with typical clinical fea-tures. Histological features of the COVID-19 lung disease are reported from autopsies. Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is an evolving technique usually performed in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. We report a TBCB in a 76-year-old female patient who had repeatedly tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pathological examination revealed the presence of interstitial pneumonia with lymphocytic infiltration. The qRT-PCR against SARS-CoV-2 from a pharyngeal swab was positive after performing the TBCB.

Keywords: COVID-19 pneumonia; transbronchial lung cryobiopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Bronchoscopy / methods*
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Cryosurgery / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / isolation & purification*