THE ROLE OF FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPY IN CHILDREN WITH AIDS - AN UPDATE OF THE NEW-YORK-UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE

The clinical courses of children with acquired immunodeficiency syndro me (AIDS) who underwent diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy at Bellevue H ospital from 1987-1992 were reviewed to determine the value of the pro cedure in patient management. Twenty-eight children (age 13 days to 12 years) underwent 31 bronchoscopies for indications including respirat ory distress, fever and abnormal chest radiograph. Procedures were wel l tolerated. Complications were limited to transient hypoxia and epist axis. Although 58% of bronchoscopies yielded a diagnosis (Pneumocystis carinii, Streptococcus viridans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cytomegalovi rus, atypical mycobacterium, giant cell pneumonia, and mechanical obst ruction), empiric medical therapy was altered in only 16% of cases. Br onchoscopic diagnoses are correlated with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classification, immune status, treatment and outcome.