Diagnostic Value of Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchoalveolar lavage has a high diagnostic utility for cytology and bacteriology. It can be done as an outpatient procedure for both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patient. Material obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage can give a definite diagnosis in conditions such as infections and malignancies.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in cases which underwent routine bronchoscopy for evaluation of lung disease.

Materials and methods This is a hospital based descriptive study done from 16^th  June 2016 to 15^th  June 2017. One hundred twenty bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cases were analyzed for differential count, cytological evaluation and bacteriological examination. All cases were included which were sent as BAL specimen to the laboratory department. Bronchoscopy was done as an outpatient procedure and lavage fluid obtained was analyzed.

Result: Out of 120 cases, 69 were male and 51 were female. The age ranged from 10 to 80 years. Among 120 cases, eight (n= 6.66%) cases were unsatisfactory, twelve (n= 10%) cases were of tuberculosis, one (n= 0.83%) case was of fungal infection, two (n= 1.67%) cases were of malignancy, ninety one (n= 75.84%) cases were of small airway infection and six cases were satisfactory but with no diagnostic value. (n= 5%).

Conclusion Bronchoalveolar lavage is valuable in diagnosis of tuberculosis, infections and malignancies.