Indicaciones e interpretación del lavado broncoalveolar. Interpretación de los estudios microbiológicos de origen bronquial

The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed during flexible bronchoscopy has gained wide acceptance as a minimally invasive method that provides important information on immunological, inflammatory and infectious processes that take place at alveolar level. This procedure is indicated in immunosuppressed patients and is performed according to the protocols of each center. In immunocompetent patients, the indication depends on the sum of clinical criteria, radiological images and the patient background. In this review we attempt to summarize the main indications for BAL as well as the interpretation of some of the result obtained.