[Bronchography during flexible bronchoscopy. Indications and results in bronchiectasis]

The radiological imaging of the respiratory tract by bronchography has apparently lost in importance since the introduction of newer imaging methods. Indications for and results of bronchography, performed after bronchoscopy with a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia, were analysed in 115 patients. In 68 the bronchography had been performed because of suspected bronchiectasis, in the others because of hemoptysis, cough or infiltration of unclear etiology. In 43% of patients who had undergone bronchography bronchiectasis was indeed found, in 47% there were isolated or additional changes in the bronchial system. In 70% the examination had furthered the diagnosis. The described method of bronchography was not significantly more uncomfortable than flexible bronchoscopy alone. Combined bronchoscopy and bronchography is thus a valuable procedure in the diagnosis of pneumonological abnormalities.