Abstract
Introduction: One of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality is lung cancer, and bronchoscopy is a crucial diagnostic procedure for the disease. The characteristics of the patient, chest imaging, the existence of an endobronchial lesion, and the diagnostic methods used all affect the bronchoscope's diagnostic yield.
Aim of the study: Assessment of the outcome of patients who suspected thoracic malignancy with initial non diagnostic bronchoscope and evaluate predictive value of diagnostic bronchoscopy.
Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at chest department, Fayoum university hospital during period of January 2021 to January 2023 on all adult patients who suspected thoracic malignancy and underwent flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsies or endobronchial biopsies and the undiagnosed patients were followed up.
Results: Our study was held on 175 patients who were suspected to have thoracic malignancy. 89(50.9%) patients were diagnosed by bronchoscopy,and 86(49%)patients were not diagnosed by bronchoscopy. From the diagnostic group (96.7%) had malignancy and (3.3%) had other diagnosis, but in non diagnostic group (82.6%) had malignancy,(6.9%) had other diagnosis,(5.8%) resolved on follow up and (4.7%) lost to follow.
Conclusions: Flexible bronchoscopy technique is a safe procedure with high diagnostic yield in patients suspected thoracic malignancy and increase chance in diagnosis in patients with hemoptysis, lung mass and endobronchial lesions. Patients who have a non-diagnostic bronchoscopy should be closely monitored. when necessary, ordering additional diagnostic tests.
Keywords: Bronchoscopy, Endobronchial biopsy, Transbronchial biopsy, thoracic malignancy.