HD+ I-scan Bronchoscopy Vascular Abnormalities Detection Multicenter Study

Patients will undergo a bronchoscopy with Pentax EB1990i HD-bronchoscope in combination with Pentax EPKi series videoprocessor investigating the entire bronchial tree. Bronchoscopy will be performed by an experienced chest physician under local anaesthesia use and type of sedation following local protocol. Bronchoscopy will be performed in a standardized order using three different imaging modes. The order of the different modes will be randomized to avoid induced scope and / or cough lesion bias. High definition digital videos will be made from all procedures without in screen patient identification, but using a study code. The three imaging modes used in this study are: HD+, HD+ surface enhancement (SE, i-scan1) and HD+ surface enhancement and tone enhancement (TE-c, i-scan2).

When sites with abnormal or suspicious vascular patterns are detected the investigator grade these findings using a visual classification scale [adapted from Herth JTO 2009 & Zaric Med Oncol 2013] and change to a regular bronchoscope and take biopsies from each site and a biopsy from a normal secondary carina on the contralateral site as control. Finally any other indicated procedures will be performed at the discretion of the local investigator.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with indication for diagnostic bronchoscopy for suspected or proven lung cancer.
• ASA physical status 1-3.
• Age 18 years or older.
• Signed and dated patient informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Bleeding disorders.
• Indication for use of anticoagulant therapy (acenocoumarol, warfarin, therapeutic dose of low molecular weight heparines or clopidrogel).
• Known allergy for lidocaine.
• Known pulmonary hypertension.
• Recent and/or uncontrolled cardiac disease.
• Compromised upper airway (eg concomitant head and neck cancer or central airway stenosis for any reason).
• ASA classification greater than or equal to 4.
• Pregnancy.
• Inability to consent.