Bronchoscopy

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Bronchoscopy

Chest physician in malad

What Is Bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is a procedure to look directly at the airways in the lungs using a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope). The bronchoscope is put in the nose or mouth. It is moved down the throat and windpipe (trachea), and into the airways.

It is a relatively quick and painless procedure, it requires little preparation, and people tend to recover quickly.

The bronchoscope is made of a flexible fiber-optic material and has a light source and a camera on the end. Most bronchoscopes are compatible with color video, which helps your doctor document their findings.

Why need bronchoscopy?

  • Vocal cord paralysis
  • Causes of coughing up blood
  • Interstitial pulmonary disease
  • Tumors or bronchial cancer
  • Airway blockage (obstruction)
  • Causes of persistent cough
  • Spots seen on chest X-rays

Procedure

  • Most people are awake during a bronchoscopy. Before the procedure, a doctor sprays a local anesthetic into the nose and throat to numb the area. Many people also take a sedative to help them relax.
  • Doctors only recommend a general anesthetic in rare cases, when they will be using a rigid bronchoscope.
  • Once the anesthetic takes effect, the doctor will usually insert a flexible bronchoscope tube through the nose and throat and into the bronchi. As the tube moves into the lungs, a person may feel a pressing or tugging sensation.
  • Some people initially cough or gag, but this usually subsides quickly. A doctor may administer oxygen throughout the procedure may to aid breathing.
  • The bronchoscope’s light and camera help the doctor to see the airways clearly, even around bends.
  • If a doctor needs to insert a stent or take a biopsy, they can pass brushes, needles, and other instruments through a channel in the bronchoscope. A stent is a small tube that helps to keep blocked or narrow airways open.
  • A doctor sometimes sprays a saline solution through the airways, in a process called bronchial washing, or lavage, to collect cells and fluids. The doctor will later examine them under a microscope.
  • During the bronchoscopy, a doctor may take an ultrasound, to get a clearer picture of the lymph nodes and tissues in and around the bronchi.
  • Once they are finished checking the airways, the doctor will remove the bronchoscope. The procedure usually takes 20–30 minutes, although times can vary, depending on the number of examinations and the underlying issue.
  • Most people can return home on the day of the procedure.

Recovery time

  • A bronchoscopy is a relatively quick and painless procedure. Afterward, a person will need to remain at the hospital for a few hours until the medications wear off. Blood pressure and breathing are monitored during this time to check for complications.
  • The ability to cough, called the cough reflex, should return within 2 hours. After this, it is safe to eat and drink again. After taking a sedative, a person should avoid driving, operating machinery, and drinking alcohol for 24 hours.
  • Most people can return to regular activities after 24 hours, but it is normal to have a sore throat and hoarseness for a few days.
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