title: The role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusion.
abstract: Published data on the role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusions are sparse and conflicting. We have reviewed our experience from November 1980 to December 1986. Thirty-two patients were identified from bronchoscopy records as having undergone the procedure during the evaluation of an effusion. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 6 of the 32 cases, but less invasive procedures had given the diagnosis in 4, and in the other 2 cases radiological abnormalities other than the effusion suggested an underlying bronchial malignancy. We conclude that routine fibreoptic bronchoscopy is not justified in the evaluation of pleural effusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies