RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The value of obtaining brushing samples in addition to biopsy and washings in the diagnosis of lung cancer
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2899
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Sharjeela Tariq
A1 Timothy Howes
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2899.abstract
AB Background:The British Thoracic Society recommends ‘obtaining a combination of biopsy, brushings and washings in cases of endoscopically visible tumour’1.Aim:We performed this study to evaluate the value of obtaining endobronchial brushings in addition to biopsy and washings during fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of broncho-centric lung cancer, in cases of visible and invisible endobronchial abnormality.Methods:We retrospectively collected data on 100 consecutive cases of proven lung cancer, where all 3 sampling techniques including biopsy, brushings and washings were used during bronchoscopy.Results:The tumour was visible endobronchially in 85% of cases, 5% of cases had external compression and 5% had abnormal mucosa. In the remaining 5%, there was no endobronchial lesion and no mucosal abnormality.In 3 cases, biopsy and washings were both normal, a diagnosis was made solely on brushings; of these, there was no endobronchial lesion or visible mucosal abnormality in 1 case and only mucosal abnormality seen in the remaining 2.In 5 cases, the biopsy was negative, ‘suspicious cells’ were found on washings and the diagnosis was only confirmed on brushings.In a further 5 cases, ‘suspicious cells’ were seen on biopsy, the wash was negative and the diagnosis confirmed on brushing.Conclusion:Our data suggest that there is a diagnostic value in performing brushings in all cases of suspected ‘broncho-centric’ lung cancer whether or not there is a visible endobronchial abnormality.References:British Thoracic Society Guidelines on Diagnostic Flexible Bronchoscopy Thorax 2001. 56: (Suppl I); i1-i 21.