Comparable Specimens for Lipid-Laden Macrophage Index: Pediatric Tracheal Aspirate Versus Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid

The study assesses the correlation between lipid-laden macrophage index in tracheal secretions (tLLMI) acquired at the time of direct laryngobronchoscopy (DLB) with the bronchoalveolar LLMI (aLLMI) collected via flexible bronchoscopy. Assessment of lipid-laden macrophages within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid has been proposed to be diagnostically helpful in evaluation of tracheobronchial inflammation. However, measurement requires flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, which can be associated with oxygen desaturation and post-operative fever. Quantification of lipid-laden macrophages in tracheal material has not been explored. The study demonstrates that the LLMI in tracheal aspirates collected at the time of DLB correlates with that of aspirates measured directly from the lower airways.