Cryobiopsy or Forceps Biopsy During Semirigid Thoracoscopy: a Comparative Study

Cryobiopsy or Forceps Biopsy During Semirigid Thoracoscopy: a Comparative Study

The purpose of this study is to compare cryobiopsies with forceps biopsies during semirigid thoracoscopy.

The investigators are going to compare diagnostic yield and size, morphological features, immunohistochemistry as measures of the quality of the samples. The secondary aim is to evaluate safety with focus on bleeding intensity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 or more years old
• unilateral pleural effusion of unknown origin
• pleural irregularities suspicious for pleural malignancy
• referral for thoracoscopy after less invasive means of diagnosis had failed

Exclusion Criteria:

• uncontrolled bleeding tendency
• unstable cardiovascular status
• severe heart failure
• ECOG performance status 4
• persistent hypoxemia after evacuation of pleural fluid
• pleural symphisis, fibrothorax