ROLE OF FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY IN NON-RESOLVING PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Introduction: Non-resolving pneumonia is always a challenging clinical scenario where various diagnostic modalities are greatly required to reach the diagnosis. We aimed to study the role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in non-resolving pneumonia along with the various comorbidities associated with the disease condition.

Methodology: A cross sectional study in a tertiary care hospital was undertaken. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with non-resolving consolidation were recruited for diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Results: The overall diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in non-resolving pneumonia was 96.66%. The causes of non-resolving pneumonia were tuberculosis (40 (66.67 %), bacterial pneumonia (8 (13.33 %)), malignancy (6 (10%)), fungal pneumonia (3 (5 %)) and foreign body (1 (1.66 %) in order of decreasing proportions. 2 cases (3.33 %) were undiagnosed. 29 (48.33%) patients had a significant past history which also revealed associated co morbid conditions. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (14 (23.33 %)) and diabetes (10 (16.66%)) were the leading comorbid conditions.

Conclusion: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a great utility tool in reaching the diagnosis in patients with non-resolving pneumonias.