PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M. Oki
AU  - H. Saka
AU  - C. Kitagawa
AU  - S. Tanaka
AU  - T. Shimokata
AU  - K. Mori
AU  - S. Kajikawa
TI  - Novel thin bronchoscope with a 1.7-mm working channel for peripheral pulmonary lesions
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00169107
DP  - 2008 Aug 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 465--471
VI  - 32
IP  - 2
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/2/465.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/2/465.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2008 Aug 01; 32
AB  - In the present study, the authors evaluated the diagnostic utility of a novel thin bronchoscope with a 1.7-mm working channel for peripheral pulmonary lesions. A total of 118 patients were included in this prospective study. Bronchoscopic examination was performed using a 5.9-mm standard bronchoscope. If no visible endobronchial lesion was found, transbronchial biopsies were performed with 1.5-mm biopsy forceps under fluoroscopic guidance and the bronchus were washed with 10–20 mL of saline solution, using a prototype 3.5-mm thin bronchoscope with a 1.7-mm working channel. Endobronchial lesion was visualised with the standard bronchoscope in 16 patients, and the other 102 patients underwent biopsies with the thin bronchoscope. The mean bronchus levels reached with the standard bronchoscope and the thin bronchoscope were 2.3 and 4.3 generations, respectively. Endobronchial abnormality was revealed with the thin bronchoscope in a further 14 patients. Diagnostic material was obtained in 50 of 68 (74%) patients with malignant disease and 18 of 30 (60%) patients with benign disease. Four patients did not return to follow-up. The diagnostic yield was 57%, even in lesions <20 mm. There were no major complications. In conclusion, bronchoscopy using a 3.5-mm thin bronchoscope with a 1.7-mm working channel is useful and safe for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions.