DIAGNOSTIC YIELD OF BRONCHOSCOPY IN LUNG MALIGNANCY

TYPE: Abstract Publication TOPIC: Procedures PURPOSE: Procedures using bronchoscopy have played an important role in the diagnosis of lung malignancies. The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic lung tumors yield of bronchial biopsy, washing and brushing. METHODS: Retrospective study of all bronchoscopic procedures performed between July 2017 and June 2019. We included all cases with confirmed neoplasm. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included, 76.1% male, with mean age of 71.1 years. The bronchoscopy overall diagnostic yield was 65.5%, mostly by bronchial biopsy (98.6%). This increased to 87.1% if an endobronchial mass was seen and 73.2% in mucosal infiltration. The overall mean number of diagnostic bronchial samples was 7, with statistically significant difference (p=0.042) compared to non-diagnostic samples (mean of 6). In all 74 cases diagnosed by bronchoscopy, 37.8% were adenocarcinoma and 28.4% squamous cell carcinoma. Most were central lesions (70.3%) in chest computerized tomography, with endobronchial mucosa infiltration or growth (91.9%). In central lesions, bronchial brushings were diagnostic in 41.7%, while in peripheric lesions it was 50% (p=0.531). In non-diagnostic bronchoscopies, most were peripheric lesions (61.5%), with extrinsic compression or inflammatory endobronchial signs (51.3%). Severe complications were reported in 0.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopic procedures were safe with high diagnostic yield in central lesions, with endobronchial mucosa infiltration or growth. There is higher incidence of adenocarcinoma, related to its general rise in prevalence. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Conventional techniques can still be diagnostic, obviating other expensive procedures. The mean of 7 bronchial samples seems to increase the rentability, being higher than literature reports. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships. KEYWORDS: Bronchoscopy, Bronchial biopsy, Lung malignancy