title: A critical view on lavage sampling techniques.
abstract: The constituents of the liquid aspirated in bronchoalveolar lavage are determined by the distribution of the fluid within the bronchial tree, the diffusion through membranes and the dilution by body fluids. Small volume lavages, sample cells, and soluble constituents from the surfaces of the proximal bronchial tree, and usually contain fewer cells than large volume bronchoalveolar lavages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmekel
mesh_terms: D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling