Bronchoscopic evaluation of peripheral lung tumours.

The results obtained from fibreoptic bronchoscopy preformed under fluoroscopic guidance were evaluated in a prospective study of 71 consecutive patients with a peripheral lung lesion more than 2 cm in diameter on the chest radiograph. A peripheral lung lesion was defined as a lesion that was not seen within the bronchial tree at fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Small volume washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy, and bronchial brushings were carried out and fluid or tissue was sent for cytological or histological examination as appropriate. Of the 71 patients, 51 were subsequently shown to have malignant disease. In 38 of the patients the diagnosis of malignancy was made by bronchoscopy, from histological specimens alone or in conjunction with cytological specimens in 33, from brushings alone in two, and from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid alone in three patients. There were no important complications. Thus fibreoptic bronchoscopy in conjunction with fluoroscopic screening appears to be an effective and safe method for the initial investigation of a peripheral lung lesion more than 2 cm in diameter.