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, the lungs, or with the lymph nodes in the chest, 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, trouble 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 or with lymph nodes in the chest.
• 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 areas of the airway that have narrowed and are causing problems.
• Treat cancer of the airway using radioactive materials (brachytherapy).