[The diagnostic value of non-fiber-optic broncho-alveolar lavage in pneumopathies and mechanical ventilation].

73 patients on artificial ventilation and presenting with localised or diffuse consolidation had broncho-alveolar lavage (LBA), in search for a causative organism, in a prospective fashion. LBA was done using a supple balloon catheter (LBA-c) which was placed blind down the intubation tube, until a distal bronchus was blocked (under radiographic control). The mean number of organisms found was 1.