This prospective, single-center clinical study will evaluate whether an 18-gauge ultrafine cryoablation needle can be used feasibly and safely during CT-guided coaxial transthoracic biopsy of pulmonary nodules. Approximately 30 adults with pulmonary nodules highly suspected of malignancy who are unsuitable for or decline surgery or radiotherapy will undergo biopsy and cryoablation during the same procedure. The study will assess technical success, biopsy diagnostic performance, imaging-based local control, and device- or procedure-related adverse events. Participants will be followed for up to 36 months. The study hypothesis is that the same-tract procedure is technically feasible and provides acceptable safety and local disease control.
All participants will be assigned to a single intervention group. Under CT guidance, a coaxial needle will be positioned near the pulmonary nodule. Biopsy specimens will be obtained before cryoablation. An 18G ultrafine cryoablation needle will then be introduced through the same coaxial tract, and image-guided cryoablation will be performed according to lesion size, shape, and location. A second biopsy may be obtained after ablation. Staged or supplemental ablation is allowed when clinically required. Follow-up assessments include chest CT, safety evaluation, and long-term disease and survival follow-up for up to 36 months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
An ultrafine cryoablation needle used for image-guided local ablation of pulmonary nodules. Treatment parameters are individualized according to lesion characteristics.
Technical success rate
Percentage of treated target lesions for which immediate post-ablation imaging shows an ablation zone extending at least 5 mm beyond the target lesion boundary.
Time frame: Procedure day
Diagnostic yield
Percentage of biopsied lesions yielding a diagnostic histopathologic result
Time frame: 1 months
Biopsy specimen quality
Comparison of pre-ablation and post-ablation specimens using specimen quality with a modified 5-point Likert scale (point 0-4, The higher the score, the better the sample quality.)
Time frame: 1 months
Complete ablation rate
Percentage of treated lesions meeting the protocol-defined imaging criteria for complete ablation.
Time frame: Months 3, 6, and 12
Local control rate
Percentage of treated lesions without local progression at each scheduled time point.
Time frame: Months 12, 24, and 36
Progression-free survival
Time from the study procedure to the first documented disease progression or death from any cause.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
Overall survival
Time from the study procedure to death from any cause.
Time frame: Up to 36 months
Device- or procedure-related adverse events
Incidence of adverse events assessed by the investigator as related to the device or study procedure
Time frame: From the procedure through Month 12
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