J Korean Burn Soc.  2011 Jun;14(1):26-29.

Fiber-optic Bronchoscopic Classification of Inhalation Injury: Is That Consistent with Pathologic Findings?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Burn Surgery, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea. maruchigs@hallym.or.kr
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Pathology, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Fiber-optic bronchoscopy is widely used for early diagnosis of inhalation injury. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether a correlation could be shown between bronchoscopic and pathologic grading.
METHODS
One hundred seventy patients who underwent bronchoscopy with suspicious inhalation injury were review retrospectively from January 2008 to December 2009. The patients were divided into four groups (normal, mild, moderate, severe) according to bronchoscopic and pathologic findings respectively.
RESULTS
Diagnosis of an inhalation burn was confirmed in 142/170 patients, of whom upon initial assessment an inhalation trauma was suspected. Bronchoscopic grading was noted: mild (n=109), 56 ALI (51.4%), 18 ARDS (16.5%); moderate (n=31), 22 ALI (71.0%), 13 ARDS (41.9%); severe (n=2), 2 ALI (100%). Pathologic grading was noted: mild (n=131), 77 ALI (58.8%), 27 ARDS (20.6%); moderate (n=4), 2 ALI (50%), 1 ARDS (25%); severe (n=1), 1 ALI (100%). Consistency of two groups was not significant (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Any burn patient highly suspicious for inhalation injury should receive an early bronchoscopy for diagnosis and treatment. Fiber-optic bronchoscopy is a safe and effective method for early diagnosis of inhalation injuries. The consensus of classification about inhalation injury will be developed.

Keyword

Inhalation; Bronchoscopy; Classification

MeSH Terms

Bronchoscopy
Burns
Burns, Inhalation
Consensus
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Inhalation
Retrospective Studies
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