Open lung biopsy in immunocompromised children with pulmonary infiltrates

We assessed the diagnostic value of 46 open lung biopsies performed on 44 immunocompromised children with acute pulmonary infiltrates. We assessed also how frequently the results of these biopsies resulted in a change of therapy. A histological diagnosis was established for all of our patients. At least one infectious agent was found in 72% of the specimens. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis was observed in 24%, and two biopsy specimens demonstrated relapsed malignancy. In this series, the empirically chosen preoperative therapy was altered on 30 (65%) of 46 occasions. Specific therapy, not provided before surgery, was initiated in 26% of our patients, and broad-spectrum preoperative therapy was discontinued in 43%. Open lung biopsy is a valuable diagnostic procedure in the immunocompromised host with pulmonary infiltrates.