Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

Term: Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)Definition: A medical procedure where a bronchoscope is used to collect samples from the lungs by washing the bronchoalveolar space with saline solution.Phonetic Pronunciation: (BRONG-koh-al-VEE-oh-lar lah-VAHZH)Origin: The term "bronchoalveolar" is derived from the Greek words "bronchos," meaning windpipe, and "alveolus," meaning small cavity, referring to the structures in the lungs. "Lavage" comes from the French word for "washing," indicating the method of the procedure.Significance in Asbestos Context: BAL is significant in asbestos-related cases because it can help diagnose asbestos-induced diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma by detecting asbestos fibers or markers of lung inflammation and damage in the lavage fluid.Example Sentence: The physician recommended a bronchoalveolar lavage to confirm the presence of asbestos fibers in the patient's lungs, which could support the diagnosis of asbestosis.Related Terms: Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Pulmonary Function Test, Biopsy, Lung CancerNotes: - BAL is considered a minimally invasive procedure. - It may not always detect asbestos fibers, depending on the stage and distribution of the disease. - The procedure can also be used to assess other lung conditions unrelated to asbestos exposure.