Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy in Basra, Iraq: a 20-month experience

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.