audit of 191 fiberoptic bronchoscopes

ABSTRACT

The result of 191 fiberoptic bronchoscopies which were performed in the Department of Thoracic Medicine from January 1995 to June 1996 were analyzed retrospectively to determine the diagnostic yield and results of bronchial washing, brushing and biospy. Indications for bronchoscopy were multiple but mostly [61% cases] it was done on suspicion of malignancy; 67.5% cases were confirmed on histopathological and cytological grounds. Definite endobronchial growths were observed in 46.5% cases. Plumonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 15 patients [7.85%] by bronchial washings and endobronchial biopsy in whom sputum was either negative or the patient was not expectorating at all. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in mediastinal mass was non-conclusive. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patients presenting with haemoptysis having a normal chest radiograph is reported to be unrewarding but in this series 16.6% had malignancy as compared to 3% cases reported in the literature. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy gave a positive diagnosis in 64% of patients