Persistent focal pulmonary opacity elucidated by transbronchial cryobiopsy: a case for larger biopsies

Abstract

Persistent pulmonary opacities associated with respiratory symptoms that progress despite medical treatment present a diagnostic dilemma for pulmonologists. We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman presenting with progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, and weight loss over six months with a progressively worsening right basilar infiltrate on chest imaging in spite of antibacterial therapy. Transbronchial cryobiopsy was used to establish the diagnosis after a bronchoscopy with traditional forceps biopsies was non-diagnostic. This case demonstrates the value of cryobiopsy as a second-line strategy for pulmonary infiltrates when aetiology remains unclear after less invasive testing.