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ABSTRACT
Background: Bronchoscopy, an important investigation for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases, is widely used in high income countries. There is limited information on value of paediatric bronchoscopy in low and middle income countries (LMIC).
Aims and Objectives: Aim was to describe the indications, findings and complications of bronchoscopy in a middle income country with a high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis of a database over a 3.5 year period.
Results: A total of 509 bronchoscopies were performed on neonates (2.3%) and children (median age = 18 months) of which 5.1% were HIV-infected. The main indications were: possible large airway compression 40%, complicated pneumonia (25%) and persistent stridor (15%). Pathology was observed in 64% of bronchoscopies. The most findings were lymph node compression of the airways (21%), and upper airway pathology (12%). Interventional procedures were performed in 112 cases (22%), the commonest being foreign bodies removal (30%), endobronchial lymph node enucleation (30%) and transbronchial needle aspiration (20%). No major complications.
Conclusion: The diagnostic yield of paediatric bronchoscopy did not differ from high income countries emphasising the importance of paediatric bronchoscopy in the management of childhood lung disease in LMICs.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.