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内容記述 |
The demand for bronchoscopic examination and treatment of respiratory diseases is increasing. However, the diagnosis of peripheral airway lesions relies on computed tomography scanning. Endoscopic observation of them is rarely performed. Although new technologies have been introduced to assist with improving the diagnostic performance of bronchoscopy for pulmonary nodules, the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic biopsy for lung peripheral lesions is comparatively low.
Methods: We have developed a 0.97 mm diameter ultra-thin optical fiberscope that can access the peripheral lung fields of human lungs. We used this thin fiberscope to successfully observe peripheral airway lesions in resected human lungs under negative pressure with a desiccator as a preliminary step for clinical application.
Results: In normal bronchi, alveoli in non-smoker’s lung were observed beyond the respiratory bronchioles, and the bronchial lumen became white in color and eventually reached the alveolar sacs at the periphery. In a case with peripherally-located lung cancer, alveolar structures were destroyed and reddish tumors were observed. The peripheral airways of the lungs with interstitial pneumonia were rich in neovascularization, the alveolar structure was destroyed, and the interstitium was thickened.
Conclusion: There have been no reports regarding the use of a fiberscope to observe human lung lesions at the “very” alveolar level. Since this fiberscope can perform simultaneous observation and laser treatment, our goal is the realization of biopsy and treat peripheral airway lesions with this ultra-thin fiberscope. |
