ROLE OF FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF VARIOUS RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

NAME ADDRESS EMAIL ID OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Lalit Singh,
Professor & HOD,
Department of Pulmonary Medicine,
SRMS IMS.
E-mail: lalitsinghdr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: AIM: To evaluate the role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in finding out the specific etiology of various respiratory conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed in 70 adult patients who had persistent opacities on chest radiography in the form of collapse, consolidation, hilar mass and cavity with proper antibiotic course of 1 to 3 months. Bronchoscopic aspirates, brushing and biopsy (as and when required) were taken. Patients with known lung malignancy, sputum positive pulmonary TB, recent myocardial infarction, allergic diseases and blood dyscrasias were excluded. RESULTS: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 50 (71.4%) patients. Bacterial pneumonia was found in 18 (25.72%), malignancy in 15 (21.42%), pulmonary TB in 12 (17.14%), fungal pneumonia in 4 (5.7%) and foreign body in 1 (1.42%) patients respectively. In 20 (28.58%) patients no specific diagnosis was made. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an extremely useful tool in diagnosing specific etiology of various respiratory conditions.
KEYWORDS: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, foreign body, fungal infection, malignancy, tuberculosis.