Fiberoptic bronchoscopy; diagnostic role, a local experience

ABSTRACT

To demonstrate the usefulness of Bronchoscopy as a diagnostic tool in various pulmonary disorders. Prospective study. Nawaz Medicare Hospital Faisalabad. June 2004 to December 2007. This study was conducted on 52 patients, 37 were male and 15 were female. Their ages ranged from 26 to 85 years. These patients who under went Bronchoscopy were either suspected cases of bronchogenic carcinoma or had difficult to treat un-resolving pneumonias. Endobronchial biopsies and bronchial aspirates were obtained. In the patients suspected of bronchogenic tumor 66.67% patients turned out to be positive on endobronchial biopsies. Bronchial aspirates were diagnostic in 73.32% cases of un-resolving pneumonias. The commonest symptoms in patients under going Bronchoscopy were haemoptysis and cough. Bronchoscopy is very useful in the diagnosis of suspected cases of bronchogenic carcinoma. Bronchial aspirates are helpful in the diagnosis of un-resolving pneumonias