Fiberoptic bronchoendoscopic examination in patients with haemoptysis and normal chest roentgenogram.

The role of flexible fiberoptic bronchoendoscopic (FOB) examination was evaluated in a retrospective analysis in 155 patients with unexplained haemoptysis and normal chest skiagrams. The procedure was helpful in reaching a specific diagnosis in 11 (7.1%) patients, 4 of whom revealed mycobacteria in bronchial secretions and 7 had neoplastic lesions. In another 68 (43.9%) cases only non-specific findings like inflammation were found, but the site of abnormality could be localized. We recommend the use of FOB in the routine assessment of haemoptysis.