title: [Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions: experience in 261 patients].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis of lung cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience with bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsies for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Revision of electronic records from patients who underwent transbronchial biopsies seeking for lung cancer. The diagnostic yield of the procedure was evaluated using pathology reports or a 24 months follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  261 patients were included. Bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 65% of cases. Lesions mean diameter was 51 mm (range 9-120 mm). Diagnostic yield for lesions less than 30 mm was 59%, for lesions less than 35 mm was 61%, and for lesions over 40 mm was 69%. The presence of malignant lesions and their location in the superior or middle lobe were associated with a better predictive value of the procedure. TNM staging was IIIB/IV in 80% of the patient at the time of diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy is influenced by the etiology and location of lung lesions.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernández-Bussy
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labarca
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Canals
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zagollin
authors.forename: Maite M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Oyonarte
authors.forename: Dionis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isamit
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalilie
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chernilo
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology