Assessment of Probe Based Confocal Laser Endo-microscopy for In-vivo Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Nodules and Masses. (NODIVEM)

Assessment of Probe Based Confocal Laser Endo-microscopy for In-vivo Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Nodules and Masses. "NODIVEM" Study

Solitary pulmonary nodule has become a major challenge in respiratory clinical practice. According to published guidelines, their management often requires close CT follow up, PET CT and invasive procedures to obtain a definite histology. In this context, innovative endoscopic techniques refered as navigational bronchoscopy have proved to be efficient, for the localization and sampling of peripheral lung nodules. However, these techniques are unable to differentiate malignant lesions from benign ones, in-vivo, in real time. Confocal endo-microscopy (CELLVIZIO) of the distal lung - also refered as distal lung probe based confocal laser endo-microscopy or alveolar lung endo-microscopy - allows in-vivo imaging of the distal lung structures in real time.

This prospective trial we will assess confocal endoscopy as a tool to localize the peripheral lung nodules and to differentiate benign from tumoral lesions.

Objective(s)

1. To demonstrate that confocal endo-microscopy is not inferior to navigational endoscopy for the localisation of peripheral lung nodule
2. To demonstrate that confocal endoscopy can differentiate benign from malignant tumors

Experimental design:

Multicentric prospective controlled trial, conducted in three academic centers, specialized in interventional bronchoscopy, equipped with both navigational bronchoscopy and probe based confocal endo-microscopy.

Subjects with peripheral lung nodule requiring navigational bronchoscopy will be explored using both Confocal endoscopy AND navigational bronchoscopy. Confocal probe will be inserted in the same catheter as used for the navigational bronchoscopy and confocal images will be recorded before sampling. An ancillary study using topical methylene blue as in situ will be conducted at the Rouen University Center.

An ancillary protocol includes the use of in situ methylene blue deposition and 660 confocal endo-microscopy analysis.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pulmonary Nodule Persistent; Malignant Neoplasm of the Respiratory System; Benign Neoplasms of the Respiratory System
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: confocal endo-microscopy

Detailed Description

Main assessment criteria:

1. number of lesions localized by confocal endoscopy compared to navigational bronchoscopy
2. Positive and negative predictive values of confocal signs before and after IV fluorophore injection for the diagnosis of cancer.

In this this study, positive diagnostic criteria for the localization of peripheral nodule using confocal imaging is a solid pattern as opposed to the usual loose fibered network pattern of the normal alveolar duct. According to this criteria, the confocal imaging procedure will be considered as valid if the number of lesions localized by confocal is not inferior to 90 % of those localized by navigational bronchoscopy. Therefore, probe based confocal laser endo-microscopy will prove valid if it can recognize at least 70 subjects out of the 78 / 120 subjects for which the navigational bronchoscopy is forecasted to localize the peripheral lesion (Cohen concordance Kappa value of 0,74 between confocal and navigational bronchoscopy).

A secondary objective will be to describe specific signs of cancer using confocal endoscopy . This will be assessed on the first 30 patients using confocal imaging obtained before and after fluorophore IV injection, in comparison to histology, and confirmed on the following 48 patients.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 120
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• France
  • Rouen, France, 76031
    • UHRouen
  • Saint-Etienne, France, 42055
    • CHU Saint Etienne
  • Toulouse, France, 31059
    • CHU Toulouse

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a peripheral lung nodule accessible by navigational bronchoscopy and CELLVIZIO according to Investigator evaluation of the CT scan.
• 18 years old or more.
• Affiliation to french social security insurance.
• Signed informed consent for the procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe respiratory insufficiency that will not allow the bronchoscopy procedure
• Uncorrected bleeding disorders
• History of pneumonectomy or exploration controlateral to a non functional lung,
• Pregnant or breast feeding woman, or person not authorized to participate to a clinical trial according to L1121-6 et L1121-8 of French Code of Public Health, concurrent participation to another clinical trial

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: confocal endo-microscopy; confocal endo-microscopy : CELLVIZIO endo-microscopy procedure is performed in every patient using the same extended working channel as for navigational bronchoscopy.

Device: confocal endo-microscopy; The intervention consists of the use of confocal endo-microscopy using the CELLVIZIO device and either the 1 mm CELLVIZIO miniprobe (ALVEOFLEX) or the 0.6 mm CELLVIZIO miniprobe (CHOLANGIOFLEX), during a navigational bronchoscopy procedure for the diagnostic of peripheral nodule. In this study, the navigational device - either radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) or electromagnetic navigation (EMN) - will be moved to another location if the CELLVIZIO displays a non solid pattern, indicating that the nodule may not have been reached during the procedure. Three attempts of EBUS or EMN are allowed until the CELLVIZIO shows a solid pattern.; Other Names: CELLVIZIO Lung 488 nm and 660 nm; 1 mm CELLVIZIO miniprobe (ALVEOFLEX); 0.6 mm CELLVIZIO miniprobe (CHOLANGIOFLEX)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sensitivity of confocal imaging (solid pattern) for the diagnostic of the pulmonary nodule	Confocal imaging will be considered as "positive" when both; a solid pattern is displayed; a diagnostic biopsy is obtained at the site of confocal imaging	six months after the procedure

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital, Rouen
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Luc C Thiberville, MD, University Hospital, Rouen

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Hassan T, Thiberville L, Hermant C, Lachkar S, Piton N, Guisier F, Salaun M. Assessing the feasibility of confocal laser endomicroscopy in solitary pulmonary nodules for different part of the lungs, using either 0.6 or 1.4 mm probes. PLoS One. 2017 Dec 21;12(12):e0189846. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189846. eCollection 2017.
• Hassan T, Piton N, Lachkar S, Salaun M, Thiberville L. A Novel Method for In Vivo Imaging of Solitary Lung Nodules Using Navigational Bronchoscopy and Confocal Laser Microendoscopy. Lung. 2015 Oct;193(5):773-8. doi: 10.1007/s00408-015-9769-8. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2012
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 29, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 26, 2013
• First Posted (Estimated): August 29, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 13, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: confocal endo-microscopy, lung nodule, respiratory neoplasms
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Thoracic Neoplasms; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2011/103/HP; 2011-AO1053-38 (Other Identifier: RCB)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No