Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows doctors to see the lungs and airways. During bronchoscopy, a thin tube (bronchoscope) passes through the nose or mouth, through the throat, and through the lungs.
Bronchoscopy is usually performed using a flexible bronchoscope. However, in certain situations, such as heavy bleeding in your lungs or a large object getting stuck in your airway, a rigid bronchoscope may be needed.
The main reasons for the need for bronchoscopy are persistent cough, infection, or something unusual that can be seen on a chest x-ray or other test.
Bronchoscopy can also be used to get samples of mucus or tissue, to remove foreign bodies or other obstruction of the airways or lungs, or to treat lung problems.
Why is this over?
Bronchoscopy is usually done to find the cause of a lung problem. For example, your doctor may refer you for a bronchoscopy because you have a persistent cough or an abnormal chest x-ray.
Reasons for bronchoscopy include:
Diagnosis of lung problem.
Detection of lung infection.
Lung tissue sampling.
Removal of mucus, foreign body, or other obstruction in the airways or lungs, such as a tumor.
Insert a small tube to open the airway (stent).
Treatment of a lung problem (interventional bronchoscopy), such as bleeding, abnormal airway stenosis (stenosis), or dropped lungs (pneumothorax).
In people with lung cancer, a bronchoscope with an internal ultrasound probe may be used to examine the lymph nodes in the chest.
This is called an intrabronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and helps doctors determine the right treatment. EBUS may be used for other types of cancer to determine the spread of cancer.
Results:
If sampling is done during bronchoscopy, it needs to be checked by a pathologist.
Because tissue samples require special preparation, biopsy specimens must be sent for genetic testing.
Bronchoscopy – lung cancer- biopsy specimens- biopsy- lung infection