Transbronchial cryobiopsy (CBTB) has been included in the ILD diagnostic algorithm supported by evidence of the optimal quality of the samples and greater diagnostic yield than conventional biopsy. Objective: To describe its performance in our environment.

Descriptive and prospective study of patients with ILD and indication for CBTB after evaluation by a multidisciplinary committee. Comorbidity, clinical-radiological suspicion, complications, and final diagnosis were recorded.

97 patients were studied, mean age 63.9 SD11.6 (28.79), 96% ambulatory. Ventilation was performed by laryngeal mask in 88 (90.7%). They presented relevant associated comorbidity in 41.2%, oxygen therapy in 17.5%, restrictive ventilatory condition in 68.1%, obstructive 9.3% and diffusion involvement in 79.1%.

After CBTB there were mild complications (mild-moderate bleeding 17.7%; pneumothorax 9.3%). All patients were discharged on the same day from the bronchoscopy recovery room except for the 9 pneumothoraces that required drainage. An average of 3.2±1 samples (1,5) were taken in 1.9±0.7 segments (1,4) and in 5 cases from two lobes.

CBTB allowed obtaining valid samples in 92 (95%) and establishing a definitive histological diagnosis in 80 (82.5%) (Hypersensitivity pneumonitis 21.6% the most common diagnosis). Surgical biopsy was only performed in 4 (4.1%). The pattern of the CT and the clinical-radiological suspicion showed a relationship with the final diagnosis.

The CBTB allows obtaining valid samples for the study of ILD and reaching the histological diagnosis in 82% of cases without serious complications, and his use in in the diagnostic algorithm of ILD avoids performing a surgical biopsy in the vast majority of cases.