Role of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 105; no. 11; pp. 863 - 867
• Main Authors: Yagoda, Michelle R., Stavola, Joseph, Steinberg, Charlotte, Ward, Robert, Jones, Jacqueline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.11.1996; Annals Publishing Compagny; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchoalveolar Lavage; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - microbiology; Bronchoscopy - economics; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Fungi - isolation & purification; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - microbiology; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Microbiological Techniques; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Pneumonia - diagnosis; Pneumonia - microbiology; Pneumonia - therapy; Respiratory system; Retrospective Studies; Sputum - microbiology; Viruses - isolation & purification; immunocompromised child; pneumonia; bronchoalveolar lavage; bronchoscopy; Human; Infection; Lung disease; Pneumonia; Microbiological investigation; Respiratory disease; Indication; Bronchoalveolar lavage; Cytology; Exploration; Child; Negative therapeutic reaction
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/000348949610501104

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been shown to be a rapid, relatively safe, and relatively noninvasive diagnostic procedure. Theoretically, BAL can be performed on all children hospitalized for pneumonia resistant to oral antibiotics, though practically and economically, this is not feasible. A 1-year retrospective review was conducted to define a cost-effective role for BAL in the management of hospitalized children with resistant pneumonia. The data revealed identification of at least one pathogen in 87% of sputum samples and in 95% of BAL specimens. Sputum samples provided the same information as the more invasive BAL technique in 60% of patients who had both sputum and BAL obtained for culture. Recommendations are made for the use of BAL as a diagnostic tool in the hospitalized child with resistant pneumonia.