Bronchoalveolar lavage in children with cystic fibrosis: how many lobes should be sampled?

• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2009.177618
• Publication Date: 2010-10-08T00:50:17Z
• Authors: F. J. Gilchrist; S. Salamat; S. Clayton; J. Peach; J. Alexander; W. Lenney
• Keywords: Lobe

<h3>Background</h3> The European Respiratory Society guidance on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in children was published 2000. It recommended taking one BAL specimen from the most affected lobe or right middle diffuse disease. In 2007, modified recommendations for with cystic fibrosis (CF), suggesting two specimens (right and lingula lobe). <h3>Objective</h3> To determine if samples lobes give full picture of lower airway infection CF. <h3>Design, setting patients</h3> A retrospective review all paediatric patients CF who underwent flexible bronchoscopy between May 2007 2009 undertaken. <h3>Main outcome measures</h3> As six were collected, results reviewed to identify positive cultures would have been missed only affected) plus had sampled. <h3>Results</h3> 39 bronchoscopic procedures 31 reviewed. taken 6 procedures. Had used, 26 (14 organisms) 11 patients. 12 (8 7 <h3>Conclusion</h3> single-lobe is insufficient assessing infection. Even when are lobes, a number infections may be missed.