Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is a useful procedure inthe diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases. In 1965, the advent of flexible fiber optic bronchoscope revolutionised the practice of pulmonary medicine. It is a universally accepted procedure both in the diagnosis and therapy of various pulmonary disorders. The various samples commonly taken in FOB procedure are bronchial brushing, bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy. In diffuse lung conditions, transbronchial biopsy can also be taken. The present study was undertaken to diagnose various lung diseases like tuberculosis, brochogenic carcinoma and other lung conditions by the use of FOB.

To evaluate the role of fiber optic bronchoscopy in order to evaluate the etiology in various lung conditions.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed in 100 patients who had undiagnosed opacities on chest radiographs in the form of collapse, consolidation, hilar mass and cavity etc. Bronchoscopic aspirates, brushing and biopsy (as and when required) were taken. Patients with recent myocardial infarction, recent cardiac arrhythmias, uncorrectable hypoxia, uncorrectable thrombocytopenia, deranged coagulation profile, unco operative patients and uncontrolled asthma patients were excluded.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 40% patients. Pulmonary TB was detected in 12% out of which one case was of endobronchial tuberculosis, malignancy was detected in 27% of the cases. One case of intrabronchial aspergilloma was also diagnosed. In 60% patients no specific diagnosis was made.

We conclude that fiber optic bronchoscopy was found to be extremely useful in finding specific etiology of various lung diseases.

TB-T uberculosis FOB-Fibreoptic bronchoscopy CXR-Chest X-Ray.