Table 4 Characteristics of specimens obtained by TBLC

Specimens, n (%)

177

85 (48.0)

92 (51.9)

Maximum diameter, mm

6.4 ± 2.9

7.5 ± 3.7

5.3 ± 1.3

< 0.05

Biopsy lobe, n (%)

 Right upper lobe

27 (15.2)

7 (8.2)

20 (21.7)

< 0.05

 Right middle lobe

6 (3.3)

2 (2.3)

4 (4.3)

0.684

 Right lower lobe

113 (63.8)

58 (68.2)

55 (59.7)

0.275

 Left upper lobe

6 (3.3)

2 (2.3)

4 (4.2)

0.684

 Left lower lobe

25 (14,1)

16 (18.8)

9 (9.7)

0.129

Structures observed on the specimen

 Bronchiole

87 (49.1)

23 (27.0)

64 (69.5)

< 0.05

 Alveoli

162 (91.5)

73 (85.8)

89 (96.7)

< 0.05

 Perilobular area

77 (43.5)

15 (17.6)

62 (67.3)

< 0.05

 Pleura

1 (1.2)

0 (0)

1 (1.0)

1

Ideal specimen, n (%)

47 (26.5)

5 (5.8)

42 (45.6)

< 0.05

Pathological confidence level

 Level A

68 (38.4)

23 (27.0)

45 (48.9)

< 0.05

 Level B

84 (47.4)

48 (56.4)

36 (39.1)

< 0.05

 Level C

10 (5.6)

5 (5.8)

5 (5.4)

1

 Not evaluated

15 (8.4)

9 (10.5)

6 (6.5)

HRCT findings in the biopsied lung segment, n (%)

 Honeycomb

8 (4.5)

4 (4.7)

4 (4.3)

1

 Traction bronchiectasis

101 (57.0)

65 (76.4)

36 (39.1)

< 0.05

 Reticulation

130 (73.4)

68 (80.0)

62 (67.3)

0.063

 GGO

60 (33.8)

28 (32.9)

32 (34.7)

0.874

 Consolidation

16 (9.0)

8 (9.4)

8 (8.6)

1

 Nodule

14 (7.9)

4 (4.7)

10 (10.8)

0.167

 Cyst

5 (2.8)

0 (0)

1 (1.0)

0.059

Diaphragm overlap sign, n (%)

77 (43.5)

46 (54.1)

31 (33.6)

< 0.05