Classification of fibreoptic bronchoscopic findings: Analysis of 2,698 cases

Abstract

Fibreoptic and rigid bronchoscopy are widely used diagnostic and therapeutic tools in pulmonary medicine, but there is little available knowledge regarding the classification of bronchoscopy findings. We aimed to propose a practical classification, to reveal interrelationship among endoscopic findings and to demonstrate demographic characteristics in our region. We analysed 2,698 consecutive bronchoscopy reports, retrospectively. Bronchoscopic findings were divided into four classes: direct tumour findings (malignant or benign), indirect tumour findings, chronic bronchitic changes and findings of mucosal injury. Bronchial secretions were classified into four categories: serous, seromucous/mucous, purulent/mucopurulent, and haemorrhagic/haemorrhage/coagulum. There was no endobronchial pathology in 18.3% of the patients. The frequency of the findings of direct tumour, indirect tumour, mucosal injury, and chronic bronchitic changes were 19.1%, 20.2%, 14.8%, and 27.6%, respectively. The frequencies of seromucous/mucous and purulent/mucopurulent secretions were lowest in the patients who had direct tumour findings. Mucosal injury findings were most common concomitant observation in the group of indirect tumour findings. All types of secretions except haemorrhagic were strongly associated with mucosal injury finding. We think that it is necessary for a classification of endoscopic findings to be developed to optimise clinical practice. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2004.