[Diagnostic value of transbronchial lung biopsy in diffuse or peripheral lung lesions]

The results of 102 cases of diffuse or peripheral lung lesions examined by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), bronchial brushing (BB), and bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) via fiberoptic bronchoscope, were reported. The positive diagnostic rate was 74.5% (76 cases). In lung cancer, the positive rate by means of BB was 77.1%, which was higher than that by TBLB (58.1%). In pulmonary tuberculosis, the positive rate by TBLB was 76.9%, higher than that by BAL fluid for identification of tubercle bacillus by culture (44.4%). If TBLB was combined with BB and BAL, the positive diagnostic rate would be further elevated. The data showed that if the size of the masses greater than or equal to 3cm in peripheral lung field on chest film, the possibility of lung cancer was greater than that of those less than 3cm. Most cases of localized infiltration in the lungs were caused by tuberculosis. But the diffuse lesions of the lungs were often caused by bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lungs, silicosis, sarcoidosis, etc. By the careful study of the chest film and ascertainment of the exact locations of the pulmonary lesions there, we can carry out the TBLB and obtain a satisfactory specimen without any X-ray monitoring. In the present group of patients who underwent TBLB, one was complicated by haemorrhage (greater than 50ml) and two by pneumothorax, but all of them recovered promptly after proper management. By strick adherence to indication, adequate preoperative preparations and very careful performance of the procedure, the complications of TBLB could be reduced to minimum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)