Background

Diffuse Parenchymal Lung diseases (DPLDs) are a diverse group of disorders which involve more than 200 clinical entities. The common feature in DPLDs is inflammation and fibrosis of the lung parenchyma which produces derangement of the alveolar architecture. The approach to diagnosis is multidisciplinary involving clinical, radiological and pathological findings. Although open lung biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, it is associated with higher morbidity and longer hospital stay. Transbronchial lung biopsy(TBLB) is a relatively safer procedure which can be used to obtain a biopsy sample from the lung. There is no prior study in Goa where TBLB has been used to diagnose DPLDs. Hence we undertook this study to evaluate the utility and safety of TBLB in the diagnosis of DPLDs.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective study on 45 patients presenting to the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Goa Medical College with radiological features suggestive of diffuse parenchymal lung disease.

Results:

The overalltissue yield of TBLB was 44% and the diagnostic yield was 31.1%. The most common histological patterns found were carcinoma, followed by tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. There was no mortality associated with the procedure. Iatrogenic pneumothorax occurred in three patients (6.6%).

Conclusion:

TBLB is a safe and effective tool in the diagnosis of DPLD, however the rate of diagnosis varies. It is a useful test when the radiological diagnosis is uncertain.