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At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in rapid diagnosis of sputum smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

We used fibreoptic bronchoscopy to investigate 70 patients with a suspected diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, with histology of any visible lesion and examination of washings by Ziehl-Neelsen Stain and Lowenstein-Jensen culture, and in later cases BACTEC rapid culture technique. Thirty-five patients were considered to have tuberculosis in the light of the course of the illness and response to treatment. In these, chest radiology showed lung parenchymal lesions (LPL) with or without enlarged hilar or mediastinal glands in 18, and mediastinal gland enlargement (MGE) only in 17. In nine patients (four with MGE, five with LPL) the diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by culture or histology of samples taken at bronchoscopy, and in five of these the diagnosis was available within 16 days of bronchoscopy. Of seven patients with positive cultures two had resistant organisms. There were no complications. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy provides early confirmation of diagnosis, and cultures to permit sensitivity studies, in a useful proportion of patients who traditionally present a considerable problem in diagnosis.

Asia↗

PubMed2003

Tissue diagnosis of suspected lung cancer: selecting between bronchoscopy, transthoracic needle aspiration, and resectional biopsy.

In pursuing a tissue diagnosis of a suspected lung cancer, there is a range of procedures to choose from. The principal goals are ideally to diagnose and pathologically stage the patient's lung cancer at the same time, preferably by using the safest, least invasive, and least costly tests. If there is clinical or radiographic evidence of extrapulmonary spread of disease, including supraclavicular N3 nodal involvement or a malignant pleural effusion, then radiology-guided or open biopsy will confirm tumor cell type and stage the patient as unresectable. For patients with symptoms, such as increasing cough or hemoptysis, that are suggestive of airways involvement. with or without radiographic finding of central lesions, sputum cytology is the least invasive study with a high specificity. A positive finding of cancer is especially helpful if the patient is not a surgical candidate because of anatomic location of the lesion or severe physiologic limitations. The limited sensitivity of sputum cytology and poor NPV may improve with improved sputum induction and collection and processing techniques. Bronchoscopy with direct examination of the visible airways is most often the preferred invasive diagnostic procedure. Although the procedure should be geared toward sampling the highest staged lesion to provide an accurate tissue staging at the time of diagnosis, additional procedures can be performed in sequence to sample different nodal stations, is well as the primary lung mass. The incidental finding of an unexpected central airways lesions or a synchronous second endobronchial lung primary will also affect plans for treatment. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy can improve the sensitivity for detecting early intraepithelial neoplasia. Bronchoscopy for central and peripheral lung masses that are suspected to be lung cancer should be performed with ROSE whenever available. For visible endobronchial lesions, given the similar yield of EBBX and EBNA, EBNA may provide an immediate diagnosis, thus obviating additional, possibly morbid, procedures such as BB or EBBX. For submucosal lesions, EBNA is superior. For central cancers that are peribronchial, TBNA performed as for regional nodal sampling should have a yield that is comparable to TBNA for staging. TBBX and TBNA of peripheral nodules that are smaller than 3 cm have a lower diagnostic yield. Coming generations of thin bronchoscopes and improved radiographic guidance systems may improve our ability to biopsy these lesions with greater accuracy and safety. Under all circumstances, immediate cytology feedback with ROSE will confirm the adequacy of the retrieved specimen for a definitive tissue diagnosis, thus avoiding the need for extra biopsies, or worse yet, the need for a second invasive procedure because of insufficient diagnostic material. ROSE is educational to the clinician and fellow-in-training in getting immediate feedback on the procedural techniques and in learning pulmonary pathology, as well. The diagnostic sensitivity of TTNA is high, especially for the larger peripheral-based lung lesion, and TTNA is a relatively rapid procedure. TTNA's sensitivity falls for smaller or more central lesions, where the false negative rate can approach 25% to 30%; the risk of pneumothoraces and bleeding increases with central biopsies. Furthermore, TTNA usually does not provide information about nodal staging, unless the TTNA is initially directed toward central lymph nodes. The central airways are not examined in the same appointment to address issues of resection margins when there may be central spread of disease. TTNA should, therefore, be held in reserve for cases in which the sputum cytology and subsequent bronchoscopy are negative, and the patient is not a surgical candidate or refuses surgery, even if the cancer is potentially resectable. TTNA may then provide the tissue diagnosis to permit initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. TTNA may also be helpful in cases where the likelihood of cancer is only intermediate, such that a specific benign diagnosis or an adequate sample without cancer will greatly reduce the likelihood ratio of missing a cancer, and justify to the patient and physician an approach of careful observation. To maximize the yield of these diagnostic procedures, there must be continued improvement in the hands-on teaching of clinical fellows and pulmonary practitioners in the use of the various techniques of TBNA and TBBX, as well as the applications of new endoscopic technology, such as EBUS. Definitive curative surgery remains the goal for patients with lung cancer, with accurate pathological staging performed intraoperatively. Complete lobectomy or pneumonectomy remains the standard resectional approach. Therefore, for patients with sufficient cardiopulmonary reserve who can be clinically staged as IA or IB, either by good quality CT with contrast or increasingly with 18-FDG PET, the initial tissue diagnosis may be at the time of surgery, when a frozen section preceding a complete lobectomy with lymph node sampling will combine diagnosis and therapy.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1999

Management of allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients at risk for cytomegalovirus disease using a surveillance bronchoscopy and prolonged pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) are considered to be at increased risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease if they and/or their donor are CMV seropositive pre-transplant. Although several pre-emptive strategies have been shown to be effective in preventing early CMV disease, the ability of pre-emptive strategies using prolonged ganciclovir therapy to reduce the incidence of late-onset CMV infection, disease and mortality has not been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of 18 weeks of pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy in preventing late-onset (> 100 days post-transplant) CMV disease when administered to asymptomatic BMT patients found to have CMV in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained during a surveillance bronchoscopy approximately 35 days post-transplant. To determine whether or not survival of BMT recipients is influenced by pre-transplant donor and recipient CMV serostatus in the context of this pre-emptive ganciclovir strategy. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive patients undergoing allogeneic BMT were assessed for their risk of developing CMV disease based on their pre-transplant CMV serostatus and that of their donor. Patients who were CMV seropositive and/or received marrow from a CMV seropositive donor underwent a surveillance bronchoscopy and BAL approximately 35 days post-transplant. Patients with positive BAL fluid for CMV received pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy for 18 weeks at decreasing dose levels. Patients considered to be at low risk for the development of CMV disease (donor and recipient CMV seronegative) were followed without intervention. RESULTS: Of 98 consecutive patients, 55 were considered to be at risk for CMV disease and underwent a surveillance bronchoscopy. Sixteen (29%) patients had a positive BAL fluid for CMV and were started on pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy. Two patients progressed and died with CMV-related pneumonia. One additional patient developed CMV-related enteritis on day 42 post-transplant and recovered with continuing ganciclovir treatment. Of the 39 patients with a negative BAL fluid for CMV, one developed a fatal CMV pneumonia 150 days post-transplant and two additional patients developed gastrointestinal CMV disease 28 and 57 days post-BMT, respectively. None of the patients in the low risk group developed CMV disease. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy utilizing a surveillance bronchoscopy for CMV and initiating prolonged (18 weeks) pre-emptive ganciclovir therapy for patients with a positive BAL fluid for CMV resulted in a low incidence of CMV-related post-transplant complications. After a minimum follow-up of 16 months, late CMV reactivations (occurring > 100 days post-transplant) were not observed in the group of individuals pre-emptively treated with ganciclovir. This observation suggests that prolonged therapy with a reduced dose of ganciclovir may be important in the prevention of CMV reactivation. The CMV serostatus of donors and recipients prior to BMT did not correlate with survival.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Description of a new procedure for fiberoptic bronchoscopy during noninvasive ventilation through a nasal mask in patients with acute respiratory failure].

A new method is described for performing oral fiberoptic bronchoscopy during noninvasive ventilation through the nose. The technique was successfully applied in 2 patients suffering from acute respiratory failure. The bronchoscope was inserted through a glove finger fitted into a mouth guard. The system works as a valve and does not affect performance of the bronchoscopy procedure or the pressures administered during noninvasive ventilation. We conclude that the procedure has potential advantages over bronchoscopy through the nose and face masks or helmets, particularly for the management of secretions or in special clinical circumstances (hemoptysis or presence of foreign bodies). This method can be used to substitute for or complement other bronchoscopy techniques performed with other interfaces.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Should patients undergoing a bronchoscopy be sedated?

BACKGROUND: The techniques, drugs and depth of sedation for flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy is controversial, and several reports consider that the routine use of sedation is not a prerequisite. We evaluate whether the addition of sedation with propofol improves patient tolerance, compared to local anesthesic of the airway only. METHODS: Eighteen patients with pneumonia undergoing flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy were included in a randomized, single blind, prospective controlled study. The non-sedation group received airway topical anesthesia, whereas the sedation group received topical anesthesia and intravenous sedation with propofol. The degree of pain, cough, sensation of asphyxiation, degree of amnesia, global tolerance and acceptance of another bronchoscopy in the future were noted. Changes in blood pressure, heart rate and saturation of oxygen by pulse oximetry were also evaluated. RESULTS: The patients in sedation group had less cough (P < 0.05), pain (P < 0.01) and sensation of asphyxiation (P < 0.001). Global tolerance to the procedure was significantly better in the group under sedation (P < 0.01). These patients had total amnesia to the procedure (P < 0.0001), thus is more probable that will accept another bronchoscopy in the future (P < 0.01). There was a significant rise in heart rate and blood pressure in the patients without sedation. There were no differences in oxygen saturation (P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that if we administer propofol for sedation, in addition to local anesthesia of the airway, the tolerance to the procedure is much better. Also it appears that sedation with propofol is safe if we carefully select and monitor the patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of various cytological examinations by bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer.

To improve the efficacy of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, we evaluated the effectiveness of various techniques for obtaining samples for cytological examination. Between January 1984 and December 2000, flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy under fluoroscopic guidance was performed in 1372 patients with lung cancer having no visible endoscopic findings. Histological examination of specimens obtained by forceps biopsy and cytological examinations on imprints of biopsy specimens, brushing, selective bronchial lavage, curettage, transbronchial needle aspiration, rinse fluids of the forceps, brush, curette, and aspiration needle, and all fluids aspirated during the bronchoscopic examinations were evaluated for diagnostic power. Using these techniques, the overall diagnostic rate with bronchoscopy was 93.4%. The sensitivity of the histological examination was 76.9%; additional imprint cytology increased the sensitivity to 84.8% (P<0.0001), while additional cytology on the rinse fluid of the forceps increased the sensitivity to 83.7% (P<0.0001). The addition of both imprint cytology and cytology on the rinse fluid of the forceps increased the diagnostic rate to 86.2% (P<0.0001). Our results indicate that cytological examinations of the imprints of biopsy samples and the rinse fluids of the forceps and the brush improve the efficacy of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

A randomised control trial of surgical task performance in rigid bronchoscopy: foreign body extraction with optical versus non-optical forceps.

There are currently two types of forceps used for foreign body removal at rigid bronchoscopy, these can be classified as standard bronchoscopy forceps and optically guided grasping forceps. In order to evaluate them in the removal of foreign bodies from the tracheo-bronchial tree a randomised subject controlled trial was conducted. All 80 bronchoscopies were recorded and analysed by a single observer according to predetermined criteria for surgical error. The data was analysed using a t-test for paired groups. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that no clear advantages were found comparing the optically guided forceps with the standard bronchoscopy forceps and that further clinical evaluation will be difficult to initiate.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The role of codeine phosphate premedication in fibre-optic bronchoscopy under insufficient local anaesthesia and midazolam sedation.

Midazolam is widely used as a sedative agent to produce amnesia in patients undergoing fibre-optic bronchoscopy. However, if a patient does not receive sufficient local anaesthesia, continuous severe cough and physical movement may interrupt the procedure and reduce its safety. We therefore examined whether codeine phosphate is a useful premedication for bronchoscopy. The study design was a randomized comparison between codeine phosphate and a placebo in patients undergoing light local anaesthesia and midazolam sedation. We used low dose local anaesthesia (5 ml of nebulized 2% xylocaine) on the assumption of insufficient local anaesthesia. Patients were allocated to receive codeine phosphate 0.4 mg kg-1 or a saline placebo 60 min before they were sedated with i.v. midazolam. If the patients exhibited severe cough during bronchoscopy, intrabronchial supplemental local anaesthesia (2% xylocaine solution in 1 ml increments) was instilled via a bronchoscope to the trachea and segmental bronchi to suppress the cough. The dose of supplemental xylocaine was assessed and the requirements were significantly lower in the codeine group compared to the placebo group: 36.4 +/- 10.2 mg vs. 95.1 +/- 24.6 mg, respectively. After bronchoscopy, patients were interviewed by a doctor to assess their willingness to undergo a repeat procedure if one was clinically indicated, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups. If local anaesthesia is insufficient, midazolam together with codeine phosphate premedication is useful for both the patient and the bronchoscopist.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Value and accuracy of cytology in addition to histology in the diagnosis of lung cancer at flexible bronchoscopy.

There is still disagreement as to the value and reliability of wash and brush cytology, in comparison with histology, for the diagnosis of malignancy at flexible bronchoscopy. The present study compares the yield and concordance of findings from the two modalities for visible tumours at flexible bronchoscopy. A single-centre study of 514 consecutive flexible bronchoscopy procedures, in which a lesion suspicious of cancer was seen and bronchial wash cytology, brush cytology and forceps biopsy samples were taken. All equivocal or suspicious results were taken as negative. An overall yield of 89.3% was achieved using a combination of all three tests. This was greater for endobronchial than submucosal (95% vs. 86%) tumours. Cytology alone diagnosed 17.7% of cases. Use of all three modalities allowed tumours to be differentiated between small and non-small cell types in all but 5/459 positive cases (98.9%). There were only 3/313 cases in which there was a difference in cell type (small cell vs. non-small cell) between the two modalities. We conclude that wash and brush cytology are valuable tools, in addition to forceps biopsy, at flexible bronchoscopy. All three tests should be performed routinely in cases of suspected malignancy.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2000

[Bronchoscopy in Germany. Cross-sectional inquiry with 681 institutions].

Bronchoscopy represents an integral part of the diagnostic tools in pulmonary medicine. Recently, it has also gained considerable attention for its therapeutic properties. To elucidate equipment, indications and procedural techniques of bronchoscopy units, a retrospective survey of 1232 hospitals and practices is conducted. 687 questionnaires are received back (response rate 56%). 681 of which are statistically evaluated. Two thirds of the physicians in charge are internists, one third are pulmonary care specialists. A total of 200,596 endoscopic procedures is included. The majority of procedures is done with an average of 3 bronchoscopists and in over 57% (388) of cases with an average number of 100 or less procedures per year. The five main indications are tumor, hemoptysis, infection or pneumonia, drainage of secretions and suspected interstitial disease. Overall complication rate amounts to 2.7% with an incidence of 4.6% minor and 0.7% major complications and a bronchoscopy-related mortality of 0.02%. The patterns seen in premedication, intra- and post-procedural monitoring, disinfection practices as well as documentation are quite heterogeneous. It is suggested to establish revised and updated standards for bronchoscopy, which should take the data collected into particular account. Those standards should provide the basis for a high level bronchological care throughout Germany.

Bronchoscopy↗

PubMed2001

[Hybrid 3-D rendering of the thorax and surface-based virtual bronchoscopy in surgical and interventional therapy control].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the possibilities of a hybrid rendering method, the combination of a color-coded surface and volume rendering method, with the feasibility of performing surface-based virtual endoscopy with different representation models in the operative and interventional therapy control of the chest. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 6 consecutive patients with partial lung resection (n = 2) and lung transplantation (n = 4) a thin-section spiral computed tomography of the chest was performed. The tracheobronchial system and the introduced metallic stents were visualized using a color-coded surface rendering method. The remaining thoracic structures were visualized using a volume rendering method. For virtual bronchoscopy, the tracheobronchial system was visualized using a triangle surface model, a shaded-surface model and a transparent shaded-surface model. RESULTS: The hybrid 3D visualization uses the advantages of both the color-coded surface and volume rendering methods and facilitates a clear representation of the tracheobronchial system and the complex topographical relationship of morphological and pathological changes without loss of diagnostic information. Performing virtual bronchoscopy with the transparent shaded-surface model facilitates a reasonable to optimal, simultaneous visualization and assessment of the surface structure of the tracheobronchial system and the surrounding mediastinal structures and lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid rendering relieve the morphological assessment of anatomical and pathological changes without the need for time-consuming detailed analysis and presentation of source images. Performing virtual bronchoscopy with a transparent shaded-surface model offers a promising alternative to flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2003

Relationship between health insurance and medical care for patients hospitalized with human immunodeficiency virus-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 1995-1997: Medicaid, bronchoscopy, and survival.

In the late 1980s, Medicaid-insured human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) were 40% less likely to undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy and 75% more likely to die than were privately insured patients, whereas rates of use of other, less resource-intensive aspects of PCP care were similar. We reviewed 1395 medical records at 59 hospitals in 6 cities for the period 1995-1997 to examine the impact of insurance status on PCP-related care. Medicaid patients were only one-half as likely to undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy as were privately insured patients, yet we found no evidence that mortality was greater among patients who received empirical treatment. The bronchoscopy rates were primarily related to patients' personal insurance status. A weaker hospital-level effect was seen that was related to hospitals' Medicaid/private insurance case mix ratios. The situation has evolved from one in which Medicaid coverage was associated with underuse of bronchoscopy and poorer survival among empirically treated persons with HIV-related PCP to one in which empirical therapy is effective in treating this disease and expensive diagnostic procedures may be overused for privately insured patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1985

Comparison of diazepam and midazolam for sedation during local anaesthesia for bronchoscopy.

Bronchoscopy was performed in 76 outpatients using local anaesthesia plus diazepam 0.2 mg kg-1 i.v. or midazolam 0.05 or 0.1 mg kg-1 i.v. Patient co-operation and ease of bronchoscopy were good in all patients. Two hours after injection, 67% (diazepam 0.2 mg kg-1), 36% (midazolam 0.05 mg kg-1) and 75% (midazolam 0.1 mg kg-1) of the patients failed to recall the insertion of the bronchoscope. Similarly, when asked on the following day, only 22%, 52% and 8%, respectively, of the patients remembered bronchoscopy. Two hours after sedation, the patients' performances in three psychomotor tests were similar to those measured before sedation in each group, but the patients' ability to stand steadily and walk along a straight line reverted to normal significantly (P less than 0.05) more slowly in patients receiving midazolam 0.1 mg kg-1 than in the patients given diazepam. The results suggest that midazolam offers no advantage over diazepam in terms of speed of recovery of psychomotor function, when doses of similar potency are given for bronchoscopy.

Aged↗

PubMed1975

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy in acute inhalation injury.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy proved to be a simple, safe, and accurate method of diagnosing acute inhalation injury. Both the anatomic level and the severity of large airway injury were easily identified. The identification of a supraglottic and infraglottic component to inhalation injury was not only helpful in determining the appropriate therapy but also in predicting ultimate pulmonary complications. When bronchoscopy was used in conjunction with the 133Xenon scintiphotoscan, both large and small airway injuries could be identified. The only clinical situation where bronchoscopy failed to identify an inhalation injury was in the immediate postburn period if the patient wasin hypovolemic shock. In this particular clinical circumstance the characteristic mucosal alterations may be absent; yet if bronchoscopy is performed after hypovolemic shock has been corrected, mucosal changes characteristic of inhalation injury will be seen.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1994

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy for the early diagnosis of subglottal inhalation injury: comparative value in the assessment of prognosis.

The aim of this study was to determine the value of bronchoscopy in the early diagnosis of inhalation injury. A total of 130 burn patients underwent bronchoscopy on admission to a specialized center. In order to validate the method and the bronchoscopist's conclusions, they underwent staged bronchial biopsies. Using the histologic findings as the "gold standard," bronchoscopy proved to be sensitive (sensitivity, 0.79) and highly specific (specificity, 0.94) for the diagnosis of inhalation injury. In addition, it was more reliable than the circumstances of the injury, the clinical findings, and complementary tests. In a one-dimensional analysis, bronchoscopy-proven inhalation injury was one of the most strongly predictive variables for the onset of ARDS and death. The analysis of survival curves confirmed that inhalation injury portends a bad outcome in burn patients. It was used to predict the likelihood of ARDS and death at the time of admission with a view to early specific treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The utility of annual surveillance bronchoscopy in heart-lung transplant recipients.

Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy (TBBx) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has an appreciable yield in detecting asymptomatic abnormalities in heart-lung transplant recipients (HLTR) during the early postoperative period. The utility of annual surveillance procedures has not been critically evaluated. We reviewed all annual bronchoscopies performed on 29 HLTR to determine the frequency of asymptomatic abnormalities. Surveillance bronchoscopies (SB) were performed on asymptomatic subjects with unchanged lung function compared with baseline. Surveillance/clinical bronchoscopies (SCB) were those performed in patients with stable decrements in lung function. Nineteen patients underwent 48 SB and 8 had 18 SCB. Five of 15 (33%) SB performed at one year yielded an abnormal TBBx (1 grade 2 acute rejection [AR], 1 grade 1 AR, 1 grade 1 AR with obliterative bronchiolitis [OB] and 2 Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia). At 2 or more years, TBBx was abnormal in 2 of 33 (6%, p = 0.024 compared with first year TBBx) (1 grade 1 AR, 1 lymphocytic bronchiolitis). Pathogens were identified in BAL in 19 (40%) SB. Fourteen (78%) SCB were abnormal. Nine (50%) revealed an abnormal TBBx (all OB), but only 2 (11%) of these altered patient management. Seven (39%) demonstrated pathogens in BAL. We conclude that in HLTR (1) surveillance TBBx rarely yields positive findings 2 or more years posttransplant, (2) surveillance TBBx seldom alters management in patients with stable decrements in lung function, and (3) BAL is useful to screen for potential pathogens.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Comparison of laryngotracheal and ultrasonic nebulizer administration of lidocaine in local anaesthesia for bronchoscopy.

Inhalation of nebulized minute lidocaine droplets has been suggested to be a very safe and pleasant method to produce topical anaesthesia for bronchoscopy. We produced topical anaesthesia of the respiratory tract either by laryngotracheal spraying (LS) of lidocaine (439 +/- 85mg) or ultrasonic nebulizer administration (UNA) of lidocaine (462 +/- 81 mg) in 40 patients undergoing bronchoscopy. All patients also received an average of 15 mg of diazepam intravenously. Both modes of lidocaine administration produced adequate anaesthesia and were safe, but when rated on the visual analogue scale, both the efficacy of local anaesthesia and the cooperation of patients during bronchoscopy were better (P less than 0.05) after LS than those after UNA. The peak plasma concentrations of lidocaine (means +/- s.d.) were lower and occurred earlier after UNA (0.53 +/- 0.34 micrograms/ml at 5-15 min after administration) than those after LS (0.89 +/- 0.63 micrograms/ml at 15-25 min after spraying). The highest individual values measured (2.54 micrograms/ml after LS and 1.17 micrograms/ml after UNA) were much less than those reported toxic lidocaine plasma concentrations. It is concluded that bronchoscopy can be conducted under local anaesthesia as successfully and safely using inhalation of lidocaine droplets from an ultrasonic nebulizer as when using laryngotracheal spraying of lidocaine.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1992

Investigation of pleural effusion: the role of bronchoscopy.

To assess the place of bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusion, 245 patients presenting during a two year period were reviewed. Of the 46 patients who had bronchoscopy, a positive yield was obtained in 13, though in five of these a second pleural aspiration was also diagnostic. Bronchoscopy was more likely to be diagnostic in patients presenting with a cough (12/24) than in those with no cough (1/22) (p less than 0.001), and in those whose chest X-ray revealed significant radiological abnormalities such as hilar enlargement, lung mass or persisting consolidation (12/29), than in those without such changes (1/17) (p less than 0.01). Bronchoscopy has a limited role in the investigation of pleural effusion. The presence or absence of cough, and the appearance of the chest X-ray, are both important considerations when planning the investigation of an undiagnosed pleural effusion.

Bronchoscopy↗