Diagnostic performance of the bronchial aspirate collected before and after the bronchial biopsy in patients with pulmonary neoplasia with endobronchial lesion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In patients with lung cancer (LC) and endobronchial lesion, the optimal sequence for collecting bronchial aspirate, before (BASpre) or after the biopsy (BASpost) is not yet established. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of BASpre with BASpost.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of patients with LC and endobronchial lesion undergoing bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsy and BASpre and BASpost samples. The diagnostic performance of both techniques was calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 144 patients were included. BASpre was diagnostic in 24 (16.7%) cases and BASpost in 33 (22.9%) (Chi-squared P<0.009). The number of cases in which it was the only diagnostic method was identical: Two for BASpre and two cases for BASpost.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with LC and endobronchial lesion, BASpost is diagnosed in a higher percentage of cases than BASpre. This difference does not affect the overall diagnostic performance of bronchoscopy as the number of times in which either is the only diagnostic procedure is identical.

Preanalytics in lung cancer

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Diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy and accessory techniques

We reviewed the most important diagnostic procedures implemented by means of flexible bronchoscopy, including bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushing and biopsy, transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration. We reviewed the tools, techniques and potential complications of this examination.