TRANSBRONCHIAL NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY NEOPLASMS

To evaluate the usefulness of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNAB) in the primary diagnosis of lung cancer, we undertook a prospective study of this technique, assessing specimens from 124 patients over a 3‐yr period. Cytologic and/or histologic material obtained by an alternate technique was available for 105 (84.7%) of the patients. The diagnostic sensitivity of TBNAB was comparable with that of other bronchoscopic techniques; with the addition of TBNAB, the overall sensitivity of bronchoscopy was increased from 54% to 72% (P < 0.001). Because of its usefulness for diagnosis of submucosal tumors and its safety, we conclude that TBNAB is a useful addition to current methods for the diagnosis of suspicious pulmonary lesions. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company