Minimally Invasive Endoscopy in Diffuse Lung Disease

NCT ID: NCT00934778

Last Updated: 2016-11-28

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 100 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2009-06-30
• Study Completion Date: 2016-11-30

Brief Summary

We want to compare 2 new systems for obtaining very detailed images of the smallest airways, in the hope that they can be used to provide useful information about lung diseases without the need for invasive tests.

Two new systems have been developed for use down the bronchoscope, which provide video imaging of the smallest airways, each system looking at a different aspect of the structure of the airway walls. In principal, this method could provide useful information which may reduce the need for a surgical lung biopsy. We will therefore be assessing the value of the additional information obtained with these two new systems.

The purpose of this research project is to gather information using both systems to gain a greater understanding of the tissue characteristics of various diseases without the need for a biopsy.

Detailed Description

Diffuse lung disease (DLD) remains a challenging area for diagnosis and treatment. Features suggestive of the various histological subtypes of DLD can be obtained from the clinical history and examination, and can also seen on cross-sectional imaging (high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning), however final diagnosis very often relies on the results of more invasive testing. The gold-standard diagnostic tool is the surgical lung biopsy, but this requires a general anaesthetic and either thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The morbidity and even mortality attached to this approach in these patients, many of whom have significant respiratory compromise, has resulted in less invasive techniques being employed in many instances. At present, this involves the use of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial biopsies via the fibreoptic bronchoscope. BAL can be distressing for patients if there is spill-over of lavage fluid into the larger airways, and transbronchial biopsies lead to significant bleeding or pneumothorax in around 5% of patients. Even with biopsies and BAL, some patients still progress to surgical lung biopsy.

There have recently been developed 2 systems for use via the working channel of the endoscope which provide imaging of the distal airways and alveoli in vivo and in real time. These are described below. In principal, these could provide diagnostic information in the setting of DLD without the need for biopsies or BAL, reducing morbidity and cost associated with sample processing, and shortening the time to diagnosis. The ideal situation would be that sufficient morphological and histological information could be obtained using these systems, thus obviating altogether the need for surgical biopsy in this patient group, providing further benefits for the patient and potentially huge cost savings for institutions.

Cellvizio® Lung (Mauna Technology) Confocal microscopy is the standard tool for ultrahigh resolution imaging in biomedical research. Mauna Technology has developed a 1.4mm diameter Alveoflex Confocal Miniprobe™ which can be deployed down the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. Elastin is the main in vivo fluorophore, and images are acquired by gentle contact, providing microstructural detail of the alveolus on multiple tissue layers. Because the system takes advantage of the natural fluorescence of the lung tissues, no patient preparation is required.

Endocytoscope system (ECS) The endocytoscope is a newly developed system that can be passed through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope, and provides high magnification views (x450) of cell surfaces. About 5mls of 0.5% methylene blue solution is used to stain the area of interest, and images are obtained by contact with the cell surface. Use of the ECS has already been shown to allow discrimination between normal and abnormal tissue in situ in the setting of bronchial dysplasia and malignancy.

Aim of research The purpose of this research project is to build up a database of information gathered using both systems so that features correlating with the different diffuse lung diseases (e.g. sarcoidosis, interstitial pneumonias, drug induced lung diseases, emphysema) can be recorded. Patients with normal lung parenchyma and focal disease such as lung cancer will also be evaluated in order to develop a better understanding of pulmonary morphology using these techniques. By using two potentially complimentary systems that look at different structural aspects of the target tissues, a greater understanding of in vivo tissue characteristics can be gained. It is hoped that diagnostic criteria can then be drawn up for individual diseases that can then be assessed prospectively in trials.

Conditions

Lung Disease; Lung Cancer

Keywords

Confocal microscopy; Endocytoscopy; Diffuse lung disease; Minimally invasive; Lung cancer and dysplasia

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: DIAGNOSTIC
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Bronchoscopy

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Confocal microscopy and endocytoscopy

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

2 probe based imaging systems for use via the working channel of the bronchoscope. 0.5ml of methylene blue injected into airways for endocytoscopy. Each procedure takes about 2-3 minutes.

Interventions

Confocal microscopy and endocytoscopy

2 probe based imaging systems for use via the working channel of the bronchoscope. 0.5ml of methylene blue injected into airways for endocytoscopy. Each procedure takes about 2-3 minutes.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 16 or over
• Scheduled for bronchoscopy as part of clinical care
• No bleeding diathesis or therapeutic anticoagulation

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to provide informed consent

• Minimum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Imperial College London

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Pallav Shah, MBBS, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust

Other Identifiers

09/H0708/18

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id