Bronchoalveolar lavage in systemic sclerosis with lung involvement: role and correlations with functional, radiological and scintigraphic parameters

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the role and the prognostic value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in scleroderma patients with interstitial lung disease. Methods:We reviewed the records of 79 patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) who had dyspnea and pulmonary involvement and underwent BAL study. Sixty-two patients were prospectively followed-up for 12-36 months and reevaluated by pulmonary function tests (PFTs).Results: 79 SSc patients were enrolled (71 F and 8 M), 55 with limited and 24 with a diffuse form; mean age 55 ± 13 years; mean disease duration 55.2 ± 59 months. All patients were ANA positive, of these 30 were

Risk factors for disease-related deterioration following diagnostic bronchoalveolar lavage procedures in diffuse lung disease: a case-control study

“…No reports of BAL-DDs in patients with CTD-ILD have been described. Whether or not patients with CTD-ILD should undergo a diagnostic BAL procedure is controversial, as it does not always provide useful information for decision-making on treatment strategies or predicting the prognosis (Goh et al, 2007;Kowal-Bielecka, Kowal & Chyczewska, 2010;Volpinari et al, 2011). The indications for a diagnostic BAL procedure need to be carefully chosen when excluding infection or hemorrhaging.…”