[Cytology of chronic bronchitis: comparative study of sputum, brushing and bronchial biopsy (author's transl)].

Present research in chronic bronchitis is directed towards a technique of cytological detection. The object of the study was to compare the results of biopsy, brushing and sputum in 65 patients with clinical signs of chronic bronchitis. We established a good correlation between the results of biopsy and brushing. Unfortunately no reliable test for chronic bronchitis can be derived from the cytological study, which could indicate the future trend of the patient.