title: Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of disseminated lung tumors.
abstract: We report our experience with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and its value in the diagnosis of malignant lung infiltrates. A total of 162 patients with biopsy- or autopsy-proven cancer had an analysis of BAL fluid performed. Cytologic examination showed malignant cells in 123 (76%) patients. The diagnostic accuracy varied depending on the neoplastic nature and growth pattern of the disease. BAL disclosed cancer cells in 93% of 44 bronchioloalveolar carcinomas. Carcinomatous lymphangitis due to metastatic cancer was diagnosed in 83% of 69 cases. Hematogenous metastases (with sharply circumscribed nodules on chest radiography) were diagnosed in 45% of 22 such cases. We recognized 67% of 15 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and 3 of 9 cases of Hodgkin's disease with pulmonary involvement. Immunocytochemistry using monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies was of value in the identification and classification of cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Service of Bronchology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Poletti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romagna
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasponi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spiga
mesh_terms: D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal