SIDEROSIS IN ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES - A STU DY IN A SERIES OF 360 BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGES

360 consecutive bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BAL) were studied using semi-quantitative method described by GOLDE (GOLDE score). 44 hemosid erosis were detected (12%). Most of them corresponded to massive alveo lar hemorrhage (AH). Depending on pathological contexts, we distinguis hed three main groups of AH frequency : a group high frequency (around 40%), an intermediate group (10%) and a low frequency group with less than 5%. Matching cytological results with clinical and radiological datas, revealed that AH was often too late diagnosed because inconstan cy of typical clinical and radiological signs. Even with a variable pr ognosis related to different physiopathological mechanisms, AH evoluti on is unpredictable. The authors suggest thus BAL cytological examinat ion may systematically include a research of hemosiderosis in AH high frequency groups.