Folia medica Cracoviensia
-
Folia medica Cracoviensia · Jan 1996
Clinical Trial[Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with systemic sclerosis. The significance of broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) --personal observations].
Review of current literature on pathogenesis and diagnostic approach to interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) was presented. The review focused in particular on the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The experimental study was aimed to established whether early performed BAL is corresponding with clinical data, especially within a group with signs and symptoms of overt ILD. ⋯ Sensitivity of BAL in case of early ILD seems to be comparable with sensitivity of lung function tests (e.g. DLCO) and computerized tomography. The answer to the question which of the above mentioned methods in most appropriate to detect ILD risk in SSc remains unknown.