Diagnostic Value of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy and Its Complications

Abstract

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) was performed in 299 patients with abnormal chest shadows in our department over the past 4 years in order to obtain a definitive diagnosis. The patients were classified into 3 groups depending upon the roentgenological findings : 1) Tumor shadow -142 cases. 2) Focal infiltration -97 cases. 3) Diffuse shadow -60 cases. A definite or almost definite diagnosis (in inflammatory desease cases) was obtained in 254 of 299 cases (84.9%). The diagnostic accuracy of TBLB in the 3 groups was as follows. : (1) Tumor shadow 85.2% (121/141) (2) Focal infiltration 82.5% (80/97) (3) Diffuse shadow 88.3% (53/60) There was no significant difference in the diagnostic ratios in the 3 groups. A specific definitive diagnosis was obtained in 149 of 299 cases (49.8%) by TBLB. The diagnostic accuracy of TBLB in the 3 groups was 69.7% (99/142), 26.8% (26/97) and 40% (24/60), respectively. Significant differences were noted in the definitive diagnostic ratios of the 3 groups. Complications were noted in 10 cases, moderate or massive bleeding in 6 cases, and pneumothorax in 4 cases.