Extract
A. Thanks for your question. The role of AFB is still somewhat controversial. With the new more sophisticated conventional white light bronchosopies, the role of fluorescence itself may be receding. Recent abstracts at the British Thoracic Society tended to suggest that, with modern equipment, an experienced bronchoscopist will identify as many abnormalities in the mucosa as they would with AFB. Having said that, there is no evidence yet that AFB has a place in routine bronchoscopy. It is being used as a surveillance tool in patients in whom routine bronchoscopy or follow-up bronchoscopy after resection identifies abnormal mucosa. Our policy at University College Hospital (UCH) is to repeat AFB every 4–6 months in individuals who have either severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIS). It is still controversial whether all CIS lesions become invasive.
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