Abstract
BackgroundAirway sampling is implicated in the workup of inflammatory lung diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare between induced sputum (IS) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the diagnosis of inflammatory (including infectious) lung diseases regarding safety, cell composition (total and differential), microbiology workup, and cytology.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective comparative study that was carried out between February 2015 and February 2016. We enrolled 30 patients with inflammatory (including infiltrative and infectious) lung diseases whom presented to the Chest Department of Alexandria Main University Hospital. IS was performed in all included patients by inhalation of hypertonic saline (3%), using an ultrasonic nebulizer. In the same cohort, BAL was performed using flexible bronchoscopy within 1 week of IS. Samples from both techniques were sent for cytological (total and differential cell counts), microbiological, and cytopathological workup.ResultsThe study sample included 26 (86.7%) female and 4 (13.3%) male patients. Their mean age was 43.57±16.30 years. BAL samples were more voluminous than IS samples (52.83±18.69 and 15.33±5.03 ml, respectively; P<0.001). Total cell counts were significantly higher in IS than in BAL (292.5 and 105.5 cell/cm2, respectively; P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were noted between both groups regarding the differential cell counts, culture results, or cytology. Complications in the form of hemorrhage occurred in two (6.67%) patients during BAL. No complications were recorded in the IS group.ConclusionIS is comparable to BAL. Although BAL is more voluminous, the total cell count in IS is higher. No differences were noted between both techniques regarding differential cell count, culture, and cytology results. IS is safe and can replace BAL in the workup of inflammatory, including infiltrative and infectious, lung diseases.
Highlights
For many years, induced sputum (IS) was used for the diagnosis of different respiratory diseases
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were more voluminous than IS samples (52.83±18.69 and 15.33±5.03 ml, respectively; P
Total cell counts were significantly higher in IS than in BAL (292.5 and 105.5 cell/cm2, respectively; P
Summary
For many years, induced sputum (IS) was used for the diagnosis of different respiratory diseases. It is being increasingly used to study the pathophysiology of various lung diseases. It is a safe, noninvasive, repeatable procedure with minimal or no complications [1,2]. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive procedure that has been used in diagnosis of various respiratory diseases but has a lot of limitations and cannot be used for follow-up [3,4]. This study aimed to compare IS and BAL with respect to the diagnosis of inflammatory (including infiltrative and infectious) lung diseases regarding safety, cell composition (total and differential), microbiology workup, and cytology. Airway sampling is implicated in the workup of inflammatory lung diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
