RESUMO
To determine sensitivity and specificity of bronchial wash cytology in diagnosis of malignant lung tumors, with histopathology as gold standard. Validation study of bronchial wash cytology as a screening procedure. Pulmonology unit, Department of Medicine, Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Six months [from Nov 2004 to May 2005]. Hundred indoor patients either gender with clinical suspicion of lung tumors were included in this study by convenience non probability sampling. Transbronchial biopsies of the lesions were done and samples to tissues were collected for histopathological examination. Ten ml of reaspirated isotonic saline was sent for bronchial wash cytology examination. Out of 100 patients histopathological examination confirmed malignancy in 75 [75%], whereas cytology could detect malignancy in 58 [58%]. Thus bronchial wash cytology had a sensitivity of 77.33% and a specificity of 1-00%. Pulmonary wash cytology has good sensitivity and specificity but yields less information as compared to biopsy. It is particularly useful in patients were the latter is contraindicated or the required expertise is not available