Rapid diagnosis of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis by flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy

ABSTRACT

The records of 44 patients who underwent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy for suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis over a nine year period were examined. All patients had either negative sputum smear [40] or could not produce sputum [4]. Bronchial washings were smear positive in 31 patients [70.4%]. Endobronchial biopsy performed on 32 patients revealed specific granulomas in 26, and non-specific chronic inflammation with positive AFB in 6 patients, while transbroncial biopsy showed specific granulomas in all 4 patients examined