Sensitivity and specificity of the nonspecific transbronchial lung biopsy.

One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients with localized or diffuse pulmonary infiltrates underwent diagnostic fiberoptic transbronchial lung biopsy during 40 months at 4 community teaching hospitals. Thirty-five patients had received pharmacologic doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressing chemotherapeutic agents. Lung parenchyma was obtained in 33 of 35 immuno suppressed and in 83 of 89 nonimmunosuppressed patients (93 per cent). The results were evaluated as to the sensitivity and specificity of the procedure with consideration of the clinical outcome of the patients who underwent biopsy. Transbronchial lung biopsy was diagnostic in 16 (48 per cent) of the immunosuppressed patients and in 56 (67 per cent) of the nonimmunosuppressed patients. Fifteen immunosuppressed patients demonstrated nonspecific inflammation, and 2 had normal lung tissue. Twelve of the 15 patients in whom transbronchial lung biopsy was nonspecific responded clinically and roentgenographically without specific therap...