Pulmonary Procedure

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the airways and lungs, performed using a bronchoscope, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera at its tip. It is often recommended when a patient exhibits persistent respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough, difficulty breathing, or unexplained abnormalities in the lungs visible on imaging tests. There are two types of bronchoscopy: flexible and rigid. The flexible type is more commonly used because it is less invasive and requires less recovery time, whereas rigid bronchoscopy is typically reserved for more complex cases such as controlling significant bleeding or removing large obstructions.

Symptoms Requiring Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is generally used when a patient experiences symptoms indicating potential lung issues. These symptoms include:

• Persistent cough: A cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time.
• Blood in sputum (hemoptysis): Coughing up blood can signal various lung conditions.
• Unexplained shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling winded without an obvious cause.
• Wheezing: This could indicate an obstruction in the airways or inflammation.
• Chest pain: Especially if related to the respiratory system, this could suggest an infection, tumor, or other pulmonary problem.
• Abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan: When imaging results show masses, nodules, or infections that need further investigation.

Causes for Recommending a Bronchoscopy

There are several conditions that may lead a healthcare provider to recommend a bronchoscopy. These include:

• Lung infections: Such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or fungal infections that are not responding to typical treatments.
• Lung cancer: To diagnose and assess tumors or abnormal growths in the lungs.
• Airway obstructions: Foreign objects, tumors, or strictures (narrowing of the airway) may require bronchoscopy to investigate or treat.
• Chronic lung diseases: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma that require more detailed examination.
• Interstitial lung diseases: These are conditions affecting the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs.

Treatment Options via Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is not just diagnostic but can also serve therapeutic purposes. Depending on the findings, the procedure can include:

• Biopsy: Removing a small tissue sample to diagnose conditions like cancer or infections.
• Mucus or foreign body removal: Clearing out blockages in the airways.
• Stent placement: To keep the airways open if a tumor or mass is causing obstruction.
• Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL): Washing the lungs with a sterile solution to collect cells and fluids for analysis, often used to diagnose infections or inflammatory lung diseases.