Bronchoalveolar Lavage

Excerpt

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive medical procedure characterized by the infusion of sterile normal saline into a specific subsegment of the lung. Subsequently, suction is applied to retrieve and analyze the instilled fluid. Initially conducted using a rigid bronchoscope, this procedure was employed as a therapeutic measure for diverse conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and alveolar proteinosis.

In contemporary practice, BAL has evolved, now facilitated through a flexible bronchoscope introduced into the targeted subsegment of the lung. The method's origins trace back to the collaborative efforts of American physicians Reynolds and Newball in 1974 within the state of Maryland. Presently, BAL primarily serves as a diagnostic tool for assessing pathology within the lower respiratory tract. Additionally, this procedure demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in select, less common circumstances. This article provides a comprehensive review encompassing the fundamental principles, anatomical considerations, indications, and procedural techniques associated with BAL.