Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at your airway through a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will examine your throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways.

Bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose problems with the airway or to treat problems such as an object or growth in the airway. See a picture of bronchoscopy.

There are two types of bronchoscopy.

• A flexible bronchoscope uses a long, thin, lighted tube to look at your airway. The flexible bronchoscope is used more often than the rigid bronchoscope because it usually does not require general anesthesia, is more comfortable for the person, and offers a better view of the smaller airways. It also allows the doctor to remove small samples of tissue (biopsy).
• A rigid bronchoscope is usually done with general anesthesia and uses a straight, hollow metal tube. It is used:
  • When there is bleeding in the airway that could block the flexible scope's view.
  • To remove large tissue samples for biopsy.
  • To clear the airway of objects (such as a piece of food) that cannot be removed using a flexible bronchoscope.
  Special procedures, such as widening (dilating) the airway or destroying a growth using a laser, are usually done with a rigid bronchoscope.

Why It Is Done

Bronchoscopy may be used to:

• Identify the cause of airway problems, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a long-term (chronic) cough.
• Take tissue samples when other tests, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, show problems with the lung.
• Diagnose lung diseases by collecting tissue or mucus (sputum) samples for examination.
• Diagnose and determine the extent of lung cancer.
• Remove objects blocking the airway.
• Evaluate and treat growths in the airway.
• Control bleeding.
• Treat cancer of the airway using radioactive materials (brachytherapy).

How To Prepare

You will be asked to sign a consent form before a bronchoscopy. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the procedure, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. To help you understand the importance of this procedure, fill out the medical procedure information form(What is a PDF document?).

Before you have a bronchoscopy, tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines.
• Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
• Have had bleeding problems or take blood-thinners, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), or warfarin (Coumadin).
• Are or might be pregnant.

Your doctor may order other tests before your bronchoscopy, such as a complete blood count (CBC), bleeding factors, arterial blood gas (ABG), or lung function tests.

Do not eat or drink for at least 8 to 10 hours before the procedure.

Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.