ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis of lung cancer. AIM: To report our experience with bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsies for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Revision of electronic records from patients who underwent transbronchial biopsies seeking for lung cancer. The diagnostic yield of the procedure was evaluated using pathology reports or a 24 months follow up. RESULTS: 261 patients were included. Bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 65% of cases. Lesions mean diameter was 51 mm (range 9-120 mm). Diagnostic yield for lesions less than 30 mm was 59%, for lesions less than 35 mm was 61%, and for lesions over 40 mm was 69%. The presence of malignant lesions and their location in the superior or middle lobe were associated with a better predictive value of the procedure. TNM staging was IIIB/IV in 80% of the patient at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy is influenced by the etiology and location of lung lesions.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Bronchoscopy/methods , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Aged , Anesthesia, Local , Biopsy/methods , Biopsy, Needle , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/secondary , Cohort Studies , Female , Fluoroscopy/methods , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/secondary , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Predictive Value of Tests , Smoking/pathologyABSTRACT
Background: Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Aim: To report our experience with bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsies for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions. Material and Methods: Revision of electronic records from patients who underwent transbronchial biopsies seeking for lung cancer. The diagnostic yield of the procedure was evaluated using pathology reports or a 24 months follow up. Results: 261 patients were included. Bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 65% of cases. Lesions mean diameter was 51 mm (range 9-120 mm). Diagnostic yield for lesions less than 30 mm was 59%, for lesions less than 35 mm was 61%, and for lesions over 40 mm was 69%. The presence of malignant lesions and their location in the superior or middle lobe were associated with a better predictive value of the procedure. TNM staging was IIIB/IV in 80% of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy is influenced by the etiology and location of lung lesions.
