Medical device provider, Fannin UK, has supported the introduction of the first CryoEBUS (Cryobiopsy
Endobronchial Ultrasound) service in Wales, following the successful completion of the country’s inaugural
procedures at Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Prince Philip Hospital.
The procedures were carried out in late November 2025 by Dr Robin Ghosal, Consultant Respiratory
Physician and Prince Philip Hospital Clinical Director , alongside Dr Jonathan Fisher-Black, Consultant
Respiratory Physician and the Endoscopy team. The development establishes Prince Philip Hospital as the
first and currently only centre in Wales offering CryoEBUS as part of its diagnostic pathway.
combines endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy with cryobiopsy,
enabling clinicians to obtain preserved, higher-quality tissue samples from mediastinal lymph nodes and
surrounding structures. The technique is particularly valuable in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative and
granulomatous disease, where sample size and preservation are critical for histological and molecular
analysis.
As part of the procedure, clinicians used Medi-Globe’s SonoTip® TopGain biopsy needles, supplied by Fannin UK, supporting accurate targeting and tract formation. This TBNB needle is crucial in ensuring a
smooth CryoEBUS procedure by allowing two sampling techniques to be incorporated into one streamlined
procedure. The introduction of CryoEBUS may reduce the need for repeat biopsies and support more
confident clinical decision-making earlier in the patient pathway.
Dr Robin Ghosal, Clinical Director and Lead Consultant Respiratory Physician at Prince Philip Hospital,
said, “CryoEBUS allows us to obtain significantly improved tissue samples while maintaining a minimally
invasive approach. This has important implications for diagnostic confidence, particularly in complex lymph node pathology and supports more efficient progression to treatment decisions.”
CryoEBUS is performed under conscious sedation and integrates and advanced service into existing
endobronchial and EBUS workflows, offering a practical route for centres seeking to enhance diagnostic
yield without increasing procedural burden.
“The introduction of CryoEBUS at Hywel Dda demonstrates how targeted adoption of advanced biopsy technologies can strengthen diagnostic pathways,” added Alex Ferguson, National Sales Manager –
Gastroenterology & Urology at Fannin UK. “Our company works closely with clinical teams to support the safe and effective implementation of innovations that deliver tangible improvements in tissue quality and procedural efficiency.”
The establishment of the first CryoEBUS service in Wales reflects a growing interest across the NHS in
advanced endobronchial biopsy techniques and highlights the role of collaboration between clinicians and
specialist medical device providers in advancing respiratory diagnostics.
