Abstract :
Introduction: Patients with bronchopulmonary disorders generally present with cardinal respiratory
symptoms, an abnormality on a chest X-ray, or both clinical and radiological findings often lead to
diagnostic possibilities. Physical examination, pulmonary function tests, other imaging studies, and
bronchoscopic examination are done to refine thedifferential diagnosis.The diagnostic methods available
for evaluating the patient with the suspected or known bronchopulmonary disease and involve direct
visualization of part of the tracheobronchial tree.Flexible type is the most common type of bronchoscopy,
visualizes the trachea, proximal airways, and segmental airways out to the third generation of branching
and bronchial collections.
This study aimed at interpretation of bronchial washings ‘obtained from the lungs in various
bronchopulmonary disorders and correlation with bronchoscopic biopsy.
Objectives: In many bronchopulmonary disorders, diagnosis is not possible despite consideration of the
clinico-radiological results, it is often necessary to obtain cells and tissue for cytologic and pathologic
examination for definitive diagnosis.
Materials and Methods: We did routine FOB and obtained bronchial washings and bronchial biopsy to
know which is more useful in clinching diagnosis.
Results: No significant correlation has been observed between BAL and bronchoscopic biopsy results.
Conclusions: Bronchoalveolar lavage is a useful diagnostic tool in diagnosing bacterial pneumonia,
tuberculosis lesions, fungal infections, and malignancies.
Keyword :
Bronchial washings, BAL, Bronchial biopsy.