Clinical usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with interstitial lung diseases: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a useful tool in the diagnostic work-up of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). In this prospective study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of BAL in patients with ILD radiographically.

Methods

The enrolled patients were classified into outpatient department (OPD), and inpatients groups who was admitted to general ward (GW) or intensive care unit (ICU) groups based on the time when BAL done. The clinical usefulness of BAL was defined as a new diagnosis established and/or treatment significantly changed. The clinical usefulness of BAL among the three groups of patients and the patients divided by underlying diseases was compared using the χ² test with or without Fisher's exact test.

Results

Among

SUBMITTER: Chang SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7330750 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature