Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is an attractive alternative to open lung biopsy as an initial diagnostic procedure for patients with diffuse parenchymal disease or localized densities beyond direct endoscopic vision. TBLB can be carried out safely without fluoroscopy in patients with diffuse lung disease. Since in our bronchoscopic department fluoroscopy is not available, we planned to evaluate the blind (without fluoroscopic guide) TBLB being performed in our department to determine the success rate in obtaining lung tissue, the sensitivity of the procedure and the risk of complications.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-Four TBLB were done in our department during a 6 month period (March-September 1999).

Results: Lung tissue wasn’t detected in two (3.1 percent) samples. Pathological results were helpful in 46 (71.9 percent) cases. No evidence of hemoptysis was found after the procedure. Three (4.68 percent) cases of pneumothorax was detected. Only one of them required chest tube (1.51 percent).

Conclusion: We concluded that blind TBLB was successful in our department with rates of complications comparable to other approved centers.