• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.6
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• pp.251-257
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• 2014

Background: Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is a valuable diagnostic tool for peripheral pulmonary lesions. The diagnostic yield of TBLB reportedly ranges from 41%-60%. Many studies demonstrated the various factors that influence the yield of TBLB, including size, location, and distance from the carina or pleura. However, no study has evaluated the effects of the bronchoscope diameter. We evaluated whether the bronchoscope diameter affected the diagnostic yield of TBLB. Methods: We reviewed records from 178 patients who underwent TBLB using bronchoscopes of two different diameters (5.7 mm, thick outer diameter, Olympus BF-200; 4.9 mm, thin, BF-260). The fluoroscopic guidance rates, yield of TBLB and flexible bronchoscopy (FB) were compared between the two groups. Additionally, we compared the results of the procedures with respect to diagnosis, distance from the pleura, and size of the lesion. Results: The results of fluoroscopic guidance, TBLB, and FB yield using thin diameter bronchoscope were significantly better than those obtained with a thick diameter bronchoscope (p=0.021, p=0.036, and p=0.010, respectively). Particularly, when the distance from the pleura was ${\leq}10mm$, success rates for fluoroscopic guidance and FB with thin bronchoscope were higher (p=0.013 and p=0.033, respectively), as compared to with thick bronchoscope. Conclusion: A thinner diameter bronchoscope increased the yield of bronchoscopy, and bronchial washing in conjunction with TBLB was useful in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary nodules.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2009

Background: CXCL10 and CXCL11, which are family of CXCR3 ligands, are expressed by lymphocytes and even by bronchial epithelial cells if the cellular immunity is activated. This study evaluated the potential utility of CXCL10 and CXCL11 in the serum for active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with lung cancer, which activates the cellular immunity, and benign lung diseases. Methods: Patients who newly visited Pusan National University Hospital from January 2007 to December 2007 and were suspected of having lung cancer or tuberculosis were enrolled prospectively. The patients were classified pathologically and clinically into three groups, 47 with lung cancer, 18 with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 control patients with benign pulmonary disease. ELISA was used to determine the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were determined in the serum. Results: The level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 were significantly higher in the active pulmonary tuberculosis group than in the lung cancer and benign lung disease groups (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis). The level of CXCL11 was significantly higher in the lung cancer group than in the benign pulmonary disease group, but there was no significant difference in level of CXCL10 between the three groups (p<0.001, p=0.655, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). The level of CXCL10 in patients with stage III+IV lung cancer was significantly higher than those with stage I+II, but there was no significant difference in the level of CXCL11 between the groups (p<0.001, p=0.07, respectively, Mann-Whitney U). There was no significant difference in the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 between those with the presence and absence of lung cancer metastasis. There was a significant correlation between the level of CXCL10 and CXCL11 (r=0.223, p<0.001). Conclusion: CXCL10 and CXCL11 may be a potential useful markers for active pulmonary tuberculosis if used alongside other diagnostic methods.