Publication:

Diagnostic efficacy of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in lung malignancies

Background Lung malignancies are the leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and in women it has surpassed even breast cancer. With the development of flexible fiber-optic bronchoscope, respiratory cytology has newer approach as samples like bronchial washings, bronchial brushings, bronchoalveolar lavage and trans-bronchial needle aspirations could be collected from the respiratory tract, yielding significant amount of cytological material.

Methods A prospective study conducted in department of pathology in MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad during a period from November 2015 to October 2017. 48samples of bronchoalveolar lavage received and patient data collected.

Results About 48 cases included in the study comprised of 23 (47.92%) malignancies, 16 (33.34%) DLDs and 9 (18%) cases of tuberculosis. In our study, 23 cases of malignancy included 15 male and 8 female patients (male:female ratio= 1.87). Mean age for malignancy was 57.57 years with median age of 60 years. Among 23 cases of malignancies 11 were given as positive/suspicious/atypical cells on BAL, whereas 10 out of 11 bronchial brushing were given as positive/suspicious or suggestive of malignancy.

Conclusions Bronchoalveolar lavage is useful procedure. Efficacy of BAL is increased when used in combination with bronchial brushing.