ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Priority of all bronchoscopies has been diagnostic yield and various techniques have been introduced to improve it. Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) and transbronchial aspirates (TBA) also play an important role in improving diagnostic yield. The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic yield of biopsies via fibre optic bronchoscopy (FOB) in 108 cases in which it was indicated. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Pulmonology department of Ayub teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Patients of all ages, sex and occupation on whom bronchoscopies were performed were included in the study. Bronchial biopsies were taken. RESULTS: Out of 108 patients, who were biopsied, malignancy was confirmed in 48%, benign lesions in 49% and only 3% were non-diagnostic biopsies. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic yield of FOB is good and is very useful for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.
Subject(s)
Bronchoscopy , Carcinoma/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung/pathology , Adult , Biopsy , Female , Granuloma/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Optical Fibers , Pneumonia/pathology , Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is a common clinical problem and its incidence is thought to be increasing. This study was conducted to see the frequency, aetiology, presentation and management outcomes of pneumothorax in patients presenting at Pulmonology unit, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan. METHODS: Pneumothorax patients reporting at the Pulmonology unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 2002 to December 2008 were included in the study. Patients of all ages were included. They were admitted and followed up to the full recovery. RESULTS: A total of 195 pneumothorax patients reported during this period. Majority of the patients were diagnosed to have pneumothorax due to pulmonary tuberculosis making about 36.92% of the total cases. Second most common cause was primary spontaneous pneumothorax (21.53%). COPD were also sizeable at 8.71%. Other causes included Bacterial infections, Asthma, iatrogenic, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and Trauma. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from this study that pulmonary tuberculosis is the commonest cause of pneumothorax in our setup.
Subject(s)
Pneumothorax/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Chest Tubes/adverse effects , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Pakistan/epidemiology , Pneumothorax/diagnosis , Pneumothorax/epidemiology , Pneumothorax/etiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/complications , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) may be easily confused with other chest diseases during its initial presentation. This study was carried out to identify presenting clinical and laboratory features that differentiate PTB from other diseases and to correlate clinical features and laboratory findings. METHODS: This study was carried out at the Department of Pulmonology, Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad, from September 1999 to December 2000. A total of 46 patients were included in the study after being clinically diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis. These patients were subjected to detailed history taking recording age, sex, weight, socioeconomic status and smoking habits. They were clinically evaluated and laboratory tests including Hemoglobin, ESR, TLC, DLC and sputum for AFB were done. They were put on standard antituberculous therapy and followed from 2 to 5 months to monitor treatment effect. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 8 computer program. RESULTS: A bimodal presentation (below age 30 years and above age 50 years), fever, productive cough, weight loss, night sweats and raised ESR were the most common findings in PTB patients. Sputum AFB smears were positive in 50% of diagnosed cases. No correlation was found between clinical and laboratory parameters in establishing a confident diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of further research to pinpoint stronger and more reliable criteria for diagnosis.
