Transbronchial biopsy as a tool to evaluate small-airways disease in asthma. Cons
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
European Respiratory Society
Faculty
Faculty of Regional Professional Studies
School
School of Regional Professional Studies
RAS ID
817
Abstract
Recently, there has been renewed interest in the importance of the small airways (internal perimetermm) in asthma 1. This was initiated largely by the observation that the use of the inhaled corticosteroid beclomethasone as a small-particle formulation, with greater penetration to the peripheral lung, results in similar improvements in symptoms and lung function at half the delivered dose of standard formulations of beclomethasone 2. The structure of the small airways is altered in asthma, even in mild cases 3, and structural changes in the small airways will theoretically lead to greater alterations in airway mechanics than similar changes in the central airways 4. Therefore, it seems desirable to find a way to safely assess the pathology of small airways in asthma. Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) is not the way to do it, at least not yet.
DOI
10.1183/09031936.02.00401902
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
James, A., & Carroll, N. (2002). Transbronchial biopsy as a tool to evaluate small-airways disease in asthma. Cons. European Respiratory Journal, 20, 249-251. Available here