[Results of catheter biopsy and catheter aspiration in various lung diseases (author's transl)].

Results of 415 catheter biopsies and catheter aspirations in patients with various lung diseases are reported. Among 263 patients with suspected carcinoma of the lung, in 79% neoplastic cells could be obtained histologically from catheter biopsy specimens. Among 52 patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis but without positive sputum, tubercle bacilli were found in 23% by aspiration biopsy. The bacteriological examination of bronchial secretion in various lung diseases showed a prevailing growth by diplococcus pneumoniae, and more sterile conditions in the peripheral bronchial airways of 56 patients. Catheter biopsy proves to be a valuable diagnostic method for the detection of peripheral bronchial carcinomas and the catheter aspiration for the bacteriological examination in specific and non-specific lung diseases.