The Safety and Efficacy of a Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Using a 1.7-mm Cryoprobe in Older Adult Patients with Suspected Interstitial Lung Disease: A Single-center, Retrospective, Observational Study

Objective The safety and efficacy of a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) in older adult patients have not yet been fully established. We assessed the safety and clinical utility of TBLC in older adult Japanese patients with suspected interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of patients who underwent TBLC with a 1.7-mm cryoprobe for suspected ILD at the National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center between June 2022 and August 2024. Data on complications, diagnostic yield, and treatment after TBLC were collected and analyzed. Patients The patients were divided into two groups: an older adult group (OA group; age ≥ 70 years; n = 31) and a non-older adult group (NOA group; age