Cytologic and histologic examination of transbronchial lung biopsy

Transbronchial lung biopsy via the fiberoptic bronchoscope has been proposed for the diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases, particularly sarcoidosis. This study reports results in 167 patients. Lung parenchyma was obtained i 143 patients (85.6%). A cytologic or histologic picture compatible with the clinical presentation was found in 62.3% of all cases. Percentage of positive results was related to the study groups under consideration: 75.6% for diffuse interstitial infiltrates, 50.0% for chronic localized infiltrates, 52.0% fro solitary nodules, 73.5% for sarcoidosis (69.8% at stages 0 and I, 83.0% at stage II, 75.0% at stage III); and 54.4% for infectious pneumonitis. Complications included pneumothorax and bronchial hemorrhage, but were rare (4%) and minor. Because of its low morbidity and high diagnostic yield, fiberoptic transbronchial lung biopsy is the diagnostic tool of choice in various respiratory diseases, whether diffuse or localized.