Published online May 26, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i15.3651
Peer-review started: February 21, 2023
First decision: April 10, 2023
Revised: April 13, 2023
Accepted: April 19, 2023
Article in press: April 19, 2023
Published online: May 26, 2023
Processing time: 91 Days and 23.1 Hours
Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy (ENB) is an emerging diagnostic tool that enables practitioners to biopsy peripheral lung tissues that were previously only accessible under computed tomography (CT) guidance. However, few studies have investigated ENB use in children. Here, we report a case of a 10-year-old girl with peripheral lung lesions who complained of a 7-d persistent fever. She was diagnosed with Streptococcus parasanguinis infection based on findings obtained using ENB-guided transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB).
A 10-year-old girl presented with constitutional symptoms of cough and fever of 7 days’ duration. Chest CT scans detected peripheral lung lesions and no endobronchial lesions. TBLB performed under the guidance of an ENB Lungpro navigation system was safe, well-tolerated, and effective for biopsying peripheral lung lesions. Examination of biopsied samples indicated the patient had a pulmonary Streptococcus parasanguinis infection, which was treated with antibiotics instead of more invasive treatment interventions. The patient’s symptoms resolved after she received a 3-wk course of oral linezolid. Comparisons of pre-treatment and post-treatment CT scans revealed absorption of some lung lesions within 7 mo of hospital discharge.
ENB-guided TBLB biopsying of peripheral lung lesions in this child is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective alternative to conventional interventions.
Core Tip: Electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy-guided transbronchial lung biopsy is used to diagnose and treat pulmonary disorders in adults worldwide, but very few were reported in children. Moreover, diagnosing patients with peripheral lung lesions is still challenging, due to difficulties related to existing biopsy procedures. Here we present a case study conducted in China that demonstrated that electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy-guided transbronchial lung biopsy is safe and effective when used to diagnose pediatric patients afflicted with peripheral pulmonary lesion-inducing disorders. Ultimately, clinicians adopting this procedure will be able to diagnose pulmonary disease cases without subjecting patients to invasive and risky surgical interventions.