Abstract
Fifty-six bronchoscopic procedures were performed for the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases in 50 immunocompromised hosts with various underlying diseases. In 30 cases (60%) of these, diagnostic findings were obtained.
Transbronchial lung biopsy yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 55.1% (27/49 procedures), bronchoalveolar lavage 29.4% (5/17), aspiration of intra-bronchial sputum 8.3% (2/24), brushing 0% (0/1). Especially, overall diagnostic sensitivities were high in diffusely infiltrating and non-infectious diseases. All 5 positive lavages were pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. In 2 lavages, cytomegalovirus was isolated but this was not significant clinically. Complications from procedures occurred in 9 cases (18%) but they were not serious; 3 were pneumothorax, and 6 were transient increase in body temperature. No prolonged morbidity was related to diagnostic bronchofiberscopy. We concluded that bronchofiberscopy is a safe and useful diagnostic procedure, and further studies should be done in the evaluation of the role of this procedure in immunocompromised hosts with pulmonary diseases.
