1. Bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of disseminated lung tumors.
- Author
-
Poletti V, Romagna M, Allen KA, Gasponi A, and Spiga L
- Subjects
- Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar diagnosis, Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar immunology, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Female, Hodgkin Disease diagnosis, Hodgkin Disease immunology, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Lung Neoplasms immunology, Lung Neoplasms secondary, Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin diagnosis, Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin immunology, Male, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid cytology, Lung Neoplasms diagnosis
- Abstract
We report our experience with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and its value in the diagnosis of malignant lung infiltrates. A total of 162 patients with biopsy- or autopsy-proven cancer had an analysis of BAL fluid performed. Cytologic examination showed malignant cells in 123 (76%) patients. The diagnostic accuracy varied depending on the neoplastic nature and growth pattern of the disease. BAL disclosed cancer cells in 93% of 44 bronchioloalveolar carcinomas. Carcinomatous lymphangitis due to metastatic cancer was diagnosed in 83% of 69 cases. Hematogenous metastases (with sharply circumscribed nodules on chest radiography) were diagnosed in 45% of 22 such cases. We recognized 67% of 15 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and 3 of 9 cases of Hodgkin's disease with pulmonary involvement. Immunocytochemistry using monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies was of value in the identification and classification of cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Published
- 1995