title: Fibre-optic bronchoscopy. Experience at Groote Schuur Hospital.
abstract: The 4-year experience with flexible fibre-optic bronchoscopy at Groote Schuur Hospital is presented. A total of 809 patients were bronchoscoped, follow-up data on 705 being available. The procedure was performed for a wide variety of indications, suspected malignant disease and tuberculosis being the two most common. The diagnostic rate in these conditions was 74% and 71% respectively. Other indications included the evaluation of diffuse pulmonary lesions, shadows on the chest radiographs in immunocompromised patients, use in the intensive care unit, investigation of haemoptysis with a normal chest radiograph, inspection of the airway, bronchography and clearance of secretions.
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis