Comparison of safety, efficacy and diagnostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage, brush cytology vs endobronchial lung biopsy in lung masses

Introduction: FOB (Fiberoptic bronchoscopy) has a great scope for diagnosis as well as therapy of various pulmonary disorders. Bronchial washings and brushings have been commonly preferred along with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytology in lung masses. Objective: To study sensitivity, specificity, safety of bronchoalveoler lavage, Brush cytology vs endobronchial biopsy. Materials and Methods: This prospective intervention based Cross sectional study was conducted among patients attending respiratory OPD at Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, BHU, Varanasi, with suspicion of lung Mass (70 cases). Results: Combined study of BAL, Brush cytology is as good as Bronchial biopsy in same patients simultaneously for diagnosing lung masses into malignant and non-malignant. Keywords: BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage), Bronchial washing, Bronchial biopsy, Fiberoptic bronchoscopy.