Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy combined with digital tomosynthesis for pulmonary nodules characterization: a single center experience.
Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with augmented fluoroscopy diagnosed 74.5% of sampled pulmonary nodules.
Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy combined with digital tomosynthesis for pulmonary nodules characterization: a single center experience.
Diagnostic work-up of peripheral pulmonary lesions (peripheral pulmonary lesions) remains a challenge in interventional pulmonology.
This retrospective observational study included all procedures performed under general anesthesia using the ssRAB (Ion™ robotic platform) in combination with C-arm based computed tomography (LungVision System) at the Interventional Pulmonology Unit of IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Policlinico Sant'Orsola, Bologna (Italy), between December 2024 and September 2025.
A definitive diagnosis was reached in about three of every four sampled lung nodules.
The median size of the lesion was 14 mm (IQR 11-18 mm).
Target lesions were identified by radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS) in 80% of cases.
Lesions ≥10 mm yielded a 79.2% diagnostic rate, versus 59.1% for smaller nodules.
The overall complication rate was 3.3% (three pneumothorax cases; no major bleeding).
The integration of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with the LungVision system exhibited high diagnostic efficacy and a strong safety profile when sampling peripheral lung lesions.
The synergy of real-time artificial intelligence aided augmented fluoroscopy and robotic technologies facilitates precise lesion targeting, even within anatomically complex areas.
However, follow-up data were not available for non-diagnostic cases; therefore, false-negative rates, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy could not be assessed.