title: Role of open lung biopsy in diagnosing pulmonary complications of AIDS.
abstract: Over a 4-year period, 25 patients with pulmonary complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome underwent open lung biopsy for diagnosis. Results of the biopsy led to a change in therapy in 15, and of this group, 8 patients improved clinically and were discharged. We believe that a select group of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with pulmonary disease will benefit from open lung biopsy. Our indications for open lung biopsy are (1) a nondiagnostic bronchoscopy, (2) failed medical therapy after a diagnostic bronchoscopy, (3) failed empiric medical therapy after a nondiagnostic bronchoscopy or after a second nondiagnostic bronchoscopy, and (4) when any of the forementioned are accompanied with a worsening chest roentgenogram. Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who have a deteriorating respiratory status or require mechanical ventilation should not undergo open lung biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Trachiotis
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Hix
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Aaron
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male