ABSTRACT
This prospective study represents our experiences in using fibreoptic bronchoscopy [FOB] in the evaluation of different thoracic lesions. Over a 20-month period, 203 patients [151 males and 52 females] [age range: 15-100 years] underwent bronchoscopies. The patients had a wide range of symptoms and/or radiographic abnormalities. The majority had cough and shortness of breath; haemoptysis was a common symptom. In all, 148 patients had neoplasms and 55 had non-neoplastic lesions. The most common malignancy was bronchogenic carcinoma [91 confirmed, 33 suspected]. Other neoplasms included pulmonary metastases and mediastinal tumours. The non-neoplastic chest lesions included pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary hydatid cyst, lung abscess and resolving chest infection and chronic bronchitis. FOB was most useful in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma [positive diagnostic yield of 73%]. It was least useful in diagnosing mediastinal tumours
