Transbronchial brush biopsy in the diagnosis of lung disease

ABSTRACT

The technic of selective transbronchial brush biopsy has been described by authors in a number of medialcenters. The procedure was popularized by Fennessy. This procedure should be considered for any hospital that isprovided with an image intensifier and adequate laboratory facilities. Between May and Aug. 1982, 13 patientsunderwent transbronchial brush biopsy at the Department of Radiology, St. Mary's Catholic Medical College. In mostcases, biopsy was performed was perforemd because of the presence of a pulmonary lesion or lesions suspicious ofmalignancy or infection in which cytologic and bacteriologic tests had failed to establish a diagnosis. Our recentclinical experience forms the basis of this communication. 1. As a reulst of bronchial brush biopsy, 4 cases ofpulmonary tuberculosis, 1 case each of alveolar cell ca, small cell ca, undifferentiated ca, and 3 cases ofbacterial pneumonia could be positively diagnosed. 2. The complications are transient hemoptysis and fever in 1case. 3. Bronchial brush biopsy has been proven to be a safe procefure with a high yield in the cytologic andbacteriologic diagnosis of diseases of the respiratory tract.