title: Role of bronchoscopy in evaluation of cases with sputum smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis, interstitial lung disease and lung malignancy: A retrospective study of 712 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of flexible bronchoscope has revolutionized the field of pulmonary medicine and is a standard instrument used for diagnostic purpose. A retrospective analysis of the clinico-radiological profile, indication, biopsy procedure and complications, for patients undergoing bronchoscopy at one of the respiratory unit at a tertiary care center in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 712 bronchoscopies was done in regard to demographic profile, clinical and radiological presentation and diagnostic indication. The results were analyzed on basis of bronchoscopy inspection and histopathological specimen obtained from transbronchial (TBLB), endobronchial biopsy (EBLB) and cytology specimen by transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). Furthermore, diagnostic yield of each biopsy procedure and their combination was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 712 patients undergoing bronchoscopy, the pathological diagnosis was achieved in 384 (53.93%). Of 384 diagnosed cases, the clinic-radio-pathological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in 88 (22.19%), interstitial lung disease (ILDs) in 226 (58.85%), and lung cancer in 70 (18.22%) cases. Of 116 sputum smear negative tuberculosis patients, 88 (75.86%) were diagnosed to be pulmonary tuberculosis; the contribution of BAL being 71.59%. Of 226 ILDs, sarcoidosis was most common 148/226 (65.48%). Among 70 lung cancer diagnosed cases, squamous cell carcinoma was most common (54.28%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from current study reemphasizes on the diagnostic utility as well as safety of the bronchoscopy procedure.
authors: Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Respiratory Allergy and Applied Immunology, National Centre of Respiratory Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, V P Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India. Electronic address: rajkumarvpci@gmail.com.
authors: Raj
authors: R
authors: Kumar
authors: Resident, Department of Respiratory Allergy and Applied Immunology, V P Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
authors: Nitesh
authors: N
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Biopsy; Bronchoscopy; Malignancy; Sarcoidosis; Tuberculosis