Bronchoscopy

BRONCHOSCOPY

A bronchoscopy is an examination of the major air passages of your lungs. There are many reasons for having a bronchoscopy. Common ones include:

Diagnostic (for diagnosis):

• For Endobronchial Symptoms or Signs 
• Chronic cough
• Hemoptysis
• Atelectasis
• Obstructive pneumonia
• Localized wheezing
• Lung Cancer: 
• Tissue diagnosis
• Staging
• Early diagnosis
• Burn: 
• Assessment of the Endotracheal Tube Position in patients on ventilator

Therapeutic (for treatment)

• Removal of Foreign Body: 

Lung Abscess: 

• Tracheal Stenosis: 
  Refractory Atelectasis: With a Balloon Cuff
• Respiratory Toilette

During a bronchoscopy samples are taken and sent for investigation to make a diagnosis. The secretions, Tranbronchial needle aspiration of paratracheal and subcarinal lymph nodes, lung biopsy are also sent for investigations. It is also performed for removing foreign bodies (particularly children, may inhale foreign bodies, such as peanuts, parts of teeth or dentures, pins, etc.), putting stents in cancer narrowed air passages etc.

A bronchoscopy is usually performed as an outpatient or day care. Before it starts, the inside of your nose and throat will be sprayed with a local anaesthetic to numb it. The procedure is done under sedation and so you sleep while the bronchoscopy is performed. You also don’t remember the procedure.The bronchoscope goes through your nose or mouth and down the back of your throat. It then goes through your voice box to your windpipe and into your smaller breathing tubes (bronchi). During the procedure more local anaesthetic will be given through the bronchoscope into your breathing tubes to help relieve any coughing. You can help by taking slow, shallow breaths through your mouth.

It usually takes about 10-20 minutes to examine all the areas carefully and sample it. Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure which carries little risk. The lung, swelling in mediastinum, endobrochial mucosa can be sampled. Complications are relatively rare. They are bleeding, a hoarse voice, fever and also a pneumothorax rarely.

Dr A K Singh

Chest Specialist, Fortis, Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital, New Delhi

EMAIL : <draksinghchestspecialist@gmail.com>