Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in patients with haemoptysis and normal chest roentgenograms.
Over the last 10 years, 53 patients with hemoptysis, but with a normal chest radiograph underwent diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Forty-three patients did not show any abnormal findings, the site of bleeding could be localised in five and non-specific mucosal changes were seen in the remaining five patients. Thirty-two patients were followed up clinically for a 3-18 months period. One patient on follow-up developed tubercular pleural effusion. Bronchogenic carcinoma was not detected in any of these patients during the procedure or at follow up. A review of literature revealed a 3 per cent incidence of bronchogenic carcinoma and the risk factors associated with higher incidence were age above 40 years, cigarette smoking and a longer duration of hemoptysis. We conclude that fiberoptic bronchoscopy has little role in this relatively benign condition (hemoptysis) especially when the risk factors are absent.
Sharma
S K
SK
Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Dey
A B
AB
Pande
J N
JN
Verma
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors