Bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of Wegener granulomatosis

Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is the most common antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Diagnosis often relies on a combination of clinical and histologic findings, with open lung biopsy considered the gold standard for confirmation of pulmonary involvement. We review the existing literature to determine whether fiberoptic bronchoscopy with endobronchial biopsy or transbronchial lung biopsy is an acceptable alternative to this invasive procedure in establishing the diagnosis of Wegener granulomatosis.