ABSTRACT
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a minimally invasive and relatively safe procedure. This is indicated in various lung pathologies, like infectious or noninfectious (malignancies, hemorrhage) involving diffuse or localized areas. Ideally, the selection of the target site for performing BAL should be based on image findings; otherwise, consider the preferred BAL sites (right side: middle lobe, left side: lingual). It could be performed in spontaneously breathing patients as well as in mechanically ventilated patients; having an artificial airway or not (eg, during non-invasive ventilation). Preferably, the BAL sample should be transported immediately to the laboratory; if that is not possible, it should be kept at 40C for up to 12 hours.
