Bronchoscopy, Diagnostic
Definition
Bronchoscopy is an exam of the airways and lungs. The exam is done with a bronchoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera on the tip. The tube may be flexible or rigid.
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Reasons for Procedure TOP
The procedure is done to:
-
Check for problems in the airways and lungs such as:
- Cancer
- Other disease
- Infection
- Blockages, or a build-up of mucus
- Take samples of mucus, fluid, or tissue for testing
- Check for objects or fluids that were inhaled (aspirated)
Bronchoscopy may also be done to:
- Remove things from the lungs that shouldn't be there
- Open a narrow airway
- Control bleeding
- Drain a lung abscess (pocket of pus) or remove diseased tissue
- Remove or treat tumors
- Place stents——to keep the airways open
Possible Complications TOP
Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:
- Excess bleeding
- Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
- Irritation of the airways or vocal cords
- Damage to the airways or lungs
- Irregular heart rate
- Infection
- Hpoxemia—damage to tissue from low oxygen
- Heart attack
Things that may raise the risk of problems are:
What to Expect TOP
Prior to Procedure
The care team may meet with you to talk about:
- Anesthesia options
- Any allergies you may have
- Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before the procedure
- Fasting before the procedure, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
- Whether you need a ride to and from the procedure
Anesthesia
The doctor may give:
- A sedative—you will feel relaxed
- Local anesthesia—the throat will be numbed
General anesthesia may be used for a rigid bronchoscopy. You will be asleep.
Description of the Procedure TOP
The bronchoscope will be put into the nose or mouth. It will be passed down the throat and into the lungs.
Images will be seen on a nearby monitor. The scope may be used to remove a small tissue sample for biopsy. Things that should not be in the lung, like inhaled food, will also be removed. Sometimes a solution is used to wash an area. This is called a lavage. It will help to collect samples of fluid for testing.
How Long Will It Take? TOP
Less than 1 hour
Will It Hurt? TOP
Throat pain is common in the first few days. Medicine can and home care can help.
Post-procedure Care TOP
Most can go home after a few hours. It will take the rest of the day to recover.
Call Your Doctor TOP
Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:
- Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
- Coughing with more than a teaspoon of blood
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- An increase in noisy breathing
- Pain that you cannot control with medicine
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
RESOURCES:
American Lung Association
http://www.lung.org
American Thoracic Society
http://www.thoracic.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
The Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca
REFERENCES:
Bronchoscopy. Merck Manual website, Professional Edition. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 16, 2021.
Diaz-Mendoza J, Peralta AR, et al. Rigid bronchoscopy. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;39(6):674-684.
Explore bronchoscopy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated Accessed February 16, 2021.
Flexible Airway Endoscopy in Children. American Thoracic Society website. Available at: https://www.thoracic.org/statements/resources/pldd/pediatric-bronch-ts.pdf. Accessed February 16, 2021.
Lung cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/prevention/lung-cancer-screening Accessed February 16, 2021.
Last reviewed June 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Chelsea Skucek, MSN, BS, RNC-NIC
Last Updated: 6/3/2021