Study of role of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in 50 cases of Pneumonia with special reference to Broncho-alveolar lavage

Dr. Kaushika S. Chaudhari; Dr. Vishal Miyatra

Volume : IV, Issue : VII, July - 2015

Study of role of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in 50 cases of Pneumonia with special reference to Broncho-alveolar lavage

Dr. Kaushika S. Chaudhari, Dr. Vishal Miyatra

Abstract :

Background : The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of flexible fiberoptic onchoscopy has led to its increasing use in diagnosis and management of a variety of pulmonary disorders. Technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic onchoscopy continue to improve our ability to perform minimally invasive, accurate evaluations of the tracheaonchial tree and to perform an ever increasing array of therapeutic and palliative interventions. BAL also helps to identify causative organisms responsible for culture negative pneumonias and thereby defining etiology of pneumonias. It is also helpful in differentiating infection from malignancy when combined with other methods like cytology, transonchial needle aspiration or transonchial biopsy. Objectives : To evaluate the role of onchoscopy and BAL in patients of pneumonia for diagnostic purpose. To identify various etiological factors responsible for clinical pneumonia by microscopic examination of BAL with various staining, cultures and cytological examination. Methods : 50 cases of pneumonia admitted in our hospital in 3 year duration. These were difficult to diagnose by routine methods. These were undergone fiberoptic onchoscopy by which BAL was taken which was subjected to microscopic examination. Results : Mean age of patients is 42.44 years (13-77) with male preponderance ( M:F ratio– 2.8 -1). In BALF examination, pyogenic infections were most common (46%) with gram negative organisms (30%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (12%), fungal infection (14%), malignancy (12%). Overall diagnostic yield of BAL was 84% in this study which was similar to yield of sputum in CAP.