Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Washings in Patients of Lung Malignancies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76i4.13342Keywords:
Bronchoscope, Diagnostic accuracy, Endobronchial biopsy, Endobronchial washings, Lung cancersAbstract
Objective: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of endobronchial washings of patients presenting with lung malignancy.
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Aug 2024 to Feb 2025.
Methodology: Specimens of 146 patients undergoing both procedures of endobronchial washings and endobronchial biopsy were included in the study. Patients who underwent bronchoscopy for only one procedure, patients unwilling for informed consent and samples with poorly fixed tissue and broken cytology slides were excluded. Slides of endobronchial washings and endobronchial biopsy were examined and the results were recorded.
Results: The study included specimens of 146 patients, with a male to female ratio of 3:1. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 84 years with median age 54 years. (IQR 65 – 37 years) Majority of malignant cases occurred in the 5th and 6th decades of life. The endobronchial washings showed a sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 91%, positive predictive value of 85%, and negative predictive value of 61%. Diagnostic accuracy was achieved in 99 cases (67.7%).
Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it has been observed that bronchial washings cytology demonstrated low sensitivity when it comes to the diagnosis of lung tumors. Therefore, it cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic test for lung malignancies.
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