Comparison Of Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) With Bronchial Biopsy In The Diagnosis Of Lung Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Dr Kanchan Jain; Dr Kusum Vaishnav; Dr Ankur Gupta; Dr Mudit Mittal

Volume : V, Issue : VI, June - 2016

Comparison Of Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) With Bronchial Biopsy In The Diagnosis Of Lung Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Dr Kanchan Jain, Dr Kusum Vaishnav, Dr Ankur Gupta, Dr Mudit Mittal

Abstract :

Aims and Objectives: To perform a diagnostic study and compare oncho–alveolar lavage with onchial biopsy (the current gold standard) in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Materials and Methods: 110 patients of clinically and radiologically suspected onchogenic carcinoma attending the Kamla Nehru Chest Hospital, Jodhpur, between 1/1/2014 and 31/8/14 were recruited for the study (after taking an informed consent). All the patients underwent a BAL followed by onchial biopsy using flexible onchoscope. The specimens were processed as per standard procedures of cytology and histology at Department of Pathology, Dr S.N Medical College, Jodhpur. Observations: The age of the patients varied from 35 to 90 years, and the male: female ratio was 7.46:1. Bronchial biopsy showed malignancy in 50 patients (45.45%), was non–malignant (inflammatory, tuberculous or no significant pathology) in 51.81% patients and biopsy material was found to be inadequate in 2.72%. All samples of BAL were adequate (material yield of 100%). BAL had a sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 80.70%, PPV of 76.60%, NPV of 76.66% and accuracy of 76.6%. Conclusion: It is concluded that BAL is a valuable tool and yields almost same information as biopsy. It is useful in patients with evidence of obstruction or risk of haemorrhage. It can be used in combination with onchial biopsy to increase the material yield.