[Diagnosis of disseminated and localized lung diseases by means of transbronchial lung biopsy (author's transl)].

In 61 patients with mostly diffuse lung diseases 64 transbronchial lung biopsies have been performed by means of rigid biopsy forceps in general anesthesia. 31 of the 36 pathological bioply specimens were diagnostically helpful or represented the clinical diagnosis. Complications were moderate bleeding in three cases and pneumothorax (3 cases). One patient died after myocardial reinfarction occuring under general anesthesia. Transbronchial lung biopsy is indicated when routine methods fail to establish the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, particularly in patients having higher operative risks. More use of the transbronchial forceps biopsy is expected to improve the diagnostic yield, especially in patients with miliary pulmonary lesions.