Vascular Patterns Observed via the Fiberoptic Bronchoscope in Cases of Lung Cancer

Abstract

There is no internationally accepted classification of bronchoscopic findings. The classification adopted by the Japanese Lung Cancer Society¹ is shown in Fig. 1, but the only reference to vascular findings in this classification system is the term ‘vascular engorgement’. We feel that since cases of lung cancer exhibit a variety of vascular findings which are important in terms of diagnosis and deciding therapeutic strategy. Our purpose was to establish a classification of vascular patterns as observed through the fiberoptic bronchoscope.