Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patient with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Sixty-four fiberoptic bronchoscopic examinations were performed for 58 patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and radiographically evident pulmonary abnormalities. Diagnoses were obtained in 23 cases (36%). Examination of 12 lung biopsy specimens showed lymphoma and one, squamous cell carcinoma. Six patients had pneumocystis carinii; 2, aspergillosis; 1 cryptococcosis; and 1, herpes simplex infection. It is recommended that fiberoptic bronchoscopy be the first invasive procedure employed in the evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities in patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.