Diagnostic role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in pulmonary tuberculosis

Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial aspiration* washings and biopsy was performed in 104 patients suspected clinically and radio logically of having pulmonary tuberculosis diagnostic yield in 9230% (96/104) cases. Diagnostic yield for tuberculosis was in 69.22% (72/ 104) cases, it includes positive aspiration and washings smear in 38.46%(40/l04) patients,positive mycobacteriai culture alone in 26.92% (28/104) cases and positive biopsy in 3*84% (4/ 104) patients, Non-tuberculous conditions like pneumonia and bronchogenic carcinoma were diagnosed in 19.23% (20/104) cases and 3.84% (4/104) cases respectively. These results suggest that in areas with high prevalence of tuberculosis, bronchoscopy should be performed for early diagnosis and initiation of therapy in sputum smear-negative cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.