These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and pulmonary cytology in the evaluation of patients with head and neck malignancies.
    Author: Garfinkle TJ, Weisman RA, Denneny JC.
    Journal: Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol; 1981; 90(4 Pt 1):351-3. PubMed ID: 7271147.
    Abstract:
    In a study involving 107 patients with new primary tumors of the head and normal chest roentgenograms, the information gained from flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy and pulmonary cytology was analyzed. A small but significant proportion of the patients (14%) had positive cytologies. Contrary to previous reports, contamination of bronchial washings with tumor cells from head and neck neoplasms did take place. In most patients, the source of contamination appeared to be the passage of the bronchoscope adjacent to the endotracheal tube. Two patients with normal chest radiographs and positive cytologic studies were discovered to have pulmonary metastases within one year of bronchoscopy. It is concluded that malignant involvement of the lungs is unlikely in patients with a normal chest radiograph, normal bronchoscopy, and negative bronchial washings. This information appears to be of value in staging patients with head and neck cancer. Positive bronchial washings are always associated with malignancy, either in the head and neck or the lungs, and should be considered an indication for further evaluation. Recommendations are made regarding the technique of bronchoscopy as part of panendoscopy in head and neck cancer patients, and diagnostic strategies are proposed for patients with positive bronchial washings and negative chest radiographs.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]