Transbronchial Lung Biopsy in Diffuse Lung Disease

Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed in 38cases with diffuse lung diseases. This procedure was useful for diagnosis of 28 cases (74%). On lymphangitic carcinomatosis, metastatic lung tumor, alveolar cell carcinoma and pneumoconiosis, this procedure was diagnostic because these diseases have various characteristics in histology. On miliary tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and allergic alveolitis, clinical information should be consulted for differential diagnosis of these diseases because these diseases are similar in histology. On diffuse interstitial pneu monia and pulmonary disorder in collagen disease, clinical feature and X-ray appearance should be considered because of poor histological characteristic. There was no significant hemorrhage, and only one mild pneumothorax occurred in this procedure.