Diagnostic procedures in obtaining pathological materials for pulmonary nodules due to primary lung cancer.

This study analyzed the diagnostic procedures of 391 patients with a pulmonary nodule due to lung cancer encountered in the practice from 1987 to 1997. Transbronchial biopsy and cytological procedures under fiberoptic bronchoscopy made a diagnosis in 329 (84.1%) of the patients. In 266 patients with endoscopically invisible tumor, transbronchial biopsy gave a positive result in 74.1% and the rest were diagnosed by cytological procedures. Transbronchial biopsy with cytological procedures should be considered as the initial diagnostic procedure. The most appropriate method and combining methods can improve the diagnostic yield in patients with pulmonary nodules.