Bronchial lavage is indicated for all of the following disorders EXCEPT which one?

• A. Pleural effusion
• B. Pneumonitis
• C. Cystic fibrosis
• D. Alveolar proteinosis

Answer: (A)

Bronchoalveolar lavage samples the distal airways and alveolar spaces to help diagnose inflammatory, infectious, or diffuse parenchymal lung processes. It is useful in pneumonitis to analyze alveolar material for pathogens or inflammatory patterns, in cystic fibrosis to detect lower airway pathogens and assess inflammation when sputum isn’t available, and in alveolar proteinosis to characterize the abnormal surfactant material in the alveoli. Pleural effusion, however, involves fluid in the pleural space outside the airways; evaluating it requires procedures like thoracentesis or chest drainage, not lavage of the airways. So bronchial lavage is not indicated for pleural effusion.