Result of bronchoscopic biopsies, bronchial brush wash cytology in diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma

ABSTRACT

The results of a prospective study using bronchoscopic biopsies and bronchial brush, wash cytology in 109 patients evaluated for bronchogenic carcinoma are presented. Among 83 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, a positive cytological diagnosis was made in 68 patients [81.9%]. The bronchoscopic biopsies were positive in 73 patients [87.9%]. When combined together a correct diagnosis was made in all the cases. No false positive diagnosis was made in 26 patients with nonmalignant lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of cytological examinations was 81.9% and 100% respectively whereas that of bronchoscopic biopsy was 87.9% and 100% respectively. Thus cytological examination represents a useful complementary test to endoscopic biopsies in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma