Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Findings, Safety and Clinical Presentation of 101 Patients Referred for Lung Tumor Evaluation in Baghdad Teaching Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopy is widely used diagnostic and therapeutic tools in pulmonary medicine. Findings related to tumor effect, safety profile and patient presentation were explained for patients referred to bronchoscopy unit. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bronchoscopic findings combined with clinical presentation and radiological appearance as well as determining safety for patients referred to bronchoscopy unit.METHOD: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy arranged for 101 patients included, 69 males and 32 females. Age range 50.7-67.3 years at the bronchoscopy unit in Baghdad teaching hospital. Review of history and clinical examination performed. Inspection of tracheobronchial tree and appropriate sampling of visible lesions were performed.RESULTS: Cough was the major presenting symptoms (64.3%), followed by dyspnea (28.7%) and hemoptysis (17.8%). Involvement of vocal cord seen in 12.8%, tracheal lesions in 15.8% of patients. Carinal distortion observed in 2.9%. The right bronchial tree involved more than left one (39.6% and 29.7% respectively). Mass and/ or nodules are the main findings detected (82%), followed by bronchial narrowing due to tumor effect in 42.5%. In tumors located in the main bronchi 96% were more than 2cm from the carina. No mortality was recorded, while bleeding occur in 2.9%, hypoxemia in 4.9%, and fever in 0.9% of patients. CONCLUSION: With flexible bronchoscopy, endobronchial mass and associated neoplastic bronchial wall lesions were frequently found in patients referred for lung tumor evaluation. It is a very safe procedure. Cough, dyspnea and hemoptysis were the commonest presenting symptoms for patients referred for bronchoscopy.