Objective: To evaluate the role of video-assisted thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. Methods: The medical charts of patients suspected of having diffuse parenchymal lung disease were retrospectively reviewed, as were the results of the anatomopathological examination of lung biopsy specimens collected through video-assisted thoracoscopy. Results: Of the 48 patients included in the study, 25 (52.08%) were female and 23 (47.92%) were male. The mean age was 58.77 years (range, 20-76 years). A total of 54 biopsy fragments were submitted to anatomopathological examination: 24 (44.44%) from the lingula; 10 (18.52%) from the left lower lobe; 7 (12.96%) from the right middle lobe; 6 (11.11%) from the right lower lobe; 5 (9.26%) from the left upper lobe; and 2 (3.71%) from the right upper lobe. The mean duration of thoracic drainage was 2.2 days. Adverse events included conversion to thoracotomy, in 2 patients (4.17%), and residual pneumothorax, in 1 (2.08%). The definitive diagnosis was made in 46 patients (95.83%), and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was the predominant diagnosis (in 54.18%). The most common diagnoses were usual interstitial pneumonia (in 29.27%), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (in 16.67%) and hypersensitivity pneumonia (in 12.50%). Conclusions: Lung biopsy through video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe, effective and viable procedure for the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases.Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Thoracoscopy; Diagnosis.
ResumoObjetivo: Analisar o papel da videotoracoscopia no diagnóstico das doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar. Métodos: Os prontuários de pacientes com suspeita de doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar e os resultados do exame anatomopatológico das amostras de biópsia pulmonar por videotoracoscopia foram analisados retrospectivamente. Resultados: Dos 48 pacientes incluídos no estudo, 25 (52,08%) eram do sexo feminino, e 23 (47,92%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade média foi de 58,77 anos, variando entre 20 e 76 anos. Foi realizado o exame anatomopatológico de 54 fragmentos de biópsia pulmonar: 24 (44,44%) da língula; 10 (18,52%) do lobo inferior esquerdo; 7 (12,96%) do lobo médio; 6 (11,11%) do lobo inferior direito; 5 (9,26%) do lobo superior esquerdo; e 2 (3,71%) do lobo superior direito. O tempo médio de drenagem torácica foi de 2,2 dias. Como eventos adversos, houve conversão para toracotomia em 2 pacientes (4,17%) e pneumotórax residual em 1 (2,08%). O diagnóstico definitivo foi obtido em 46 (95,83%) casos, com predomínio das pneumonias intersticiais idiopáticas (54,18%). Os diagnósticos mais frequentes foram pneumonia intersticial usual (29,27%), pneumonia intersticial não-específica (16,67%) e pneumonia por hipersensibilidade (12,50%). Conclusões: A videotoracoscopia com biópsia pulmonar é um procedimento eficaz, seguro e viável para o diagnóstico das doenças difusas do parênquima pulmonar.