[Bronchoalveolar lavage: a current overview]

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive procedure frequently used in the evaluation of pulmonary diseases. The primary indications for its use include the diagnosis of inflammation, infection, and interstitial lung diseases. Additionally, BAL plays a role in tumor diagnostics, detection of rejection following lung transplantation, and the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases (e.g., berylliosis, asbestosis).Although BAL alone mostly does not enable a definitive diagnosis, analysis of the BAL fluid provides important findings that are essential when interpreted in the clinical context. Successful analysis and interpretation require careful sample collection and rapid processing. Sample preparation is technically straightforward, and routine staining (Giemsa) is uncomplicated. BAL is widely available, cost-effective, and an indispensable tool in the diagnostic workup of pulmonary diseases.