There are two types of bronchoscopes - a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope and a rigid bronchoscope. Since the 1960s, the fiberoptic bronchoscope has progressively supplanted the rigid bronchoscope because of overall ease of use. In some patients, flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be performed without anesthesia, but in most cases, conscious sedation "twilight sleep") is utilized. However, rigid bronchoscopy requires general anesthesia and the services of an anesthesiologist. During the bronchoscopy, the examiner can see the tissues of the airways either directly by looking through the instrument or by viewing on a TV monitor.

Depending on the indication the examiner will choose between the flexible fiber optic bronchoscope or the rigid bronchoscope. For example, if a patient were coughing up large amounts of blood, a rigid bronchoscope is used since it has a large suction channel and allows for the use of instruments that can better control bleeding. The vast majority of bronchoscopies are performed using the flexible fiberoptic scope because of the improved patient comfort and reduced use of anesthesia.

What are the indications for bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy can be used for diagnosis or treatment. (The lists below are not meant to be all-inclusive, but are intended to provide a greater awareness and knowledge regarding the indications for bronchoscopy.)

Bronchoscopy is used to make a diagnosis most commonly for these conditions:

   1. persistent or unexplained cough;

   1. blood in the sputum (coughed up mucus material from the lungs);

   1. abnormal chest x-ray such as a mass, nodule, or inflammation in the lung; or

   1. evaluation of a possible lung infection.

Bronchoscopy is used for treatment:

   1. to remove foreign bodies in the airway;

   1. to place a stent (a tiny tube) to open a collapsed airway due to pressure by a mass or tumor; or

   1. to remove a mass or growth that is blocking the airway.

What are the potential complications of bronchoscopy?

Complications of bronchoscopy are relatively rare and most often minor. It is important to realize that all procedures may involve risk or complications from both known and unforeseen causes, because individual patients vary in their anatomy and response to medications. Therefore, there is no guarantee that a procedure can be free of complications. The following is a list of potential complications:

    * Nose bleeding (epistaxis)

    * Vocal cord injury

    * Irregular heart beats

    * Lack of oxygen to the body's tissues

    * Heart injury due to medications or lack of oxygen

    * Bleeding from the site of biopsy

    * Punctured lung (pneumothorax)

    * Damage to teeth (from rigid bronchoscopy)

    * Complications from pre-medications or general anesthesia

Flexible bronchoscopy rarely causes any discomfort or pain. Patients may feel the urge to cough because of the sensation of a foreign object in the "windpipe." Again, this feeling can be minimized by pre-procedural medication given for relaxation and local anesthesia with lidocaine. The procedure usually takes between 15 to 60 minutes. If a specific area needs to be more thoroughly evaluated or an abnormality is detected during the procedure, samples can be collected by several methods listed below:

   1. Washing - Squirts of salt water (saline) are injected through the bronchoscope into the area of interest and the fluid is then suctioned back. This process is repeated several times to obtain adequate samples, which are then submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Brushing - A soft brush is inserted through the bronchoscope to the area of interest. Cells around the airway are collected by brushing up and down the airway. The samples are also sent to the laboratory for analysis.

   1. Needle aspiration - A small needle is inserted into the airway and through the wall of the airway to obtain samples outside of the airway for analysis under a microscope.

Forceps biopsy - Forceps may be used to biopsy either a visible lesion in the airway or a lung lesion. Abnormal tissue that is visible in the airway is usually easily biopsied. However, a mass that is in the lung tissue is deep within the lung and usually requires a biopsy using special x-ray guidance (fluoroscopy). Specimens obtained are sent to a pathologist for inspection under a microscope

What's new in bronchoscopy?

The bronchoscope is now being used with lasers to help remove and destroy tumor in the lungs. Sometimes, probes can be passed through the scope to freeze bleeding sites or to shrink tumors. Some newer technologies are on the horizon and may play a future role in the management of asthma and emphysema. There is data to suggest that warming the linings of the airways can reduce asthma attacks. Studies are also now underway investigating one-way valves placed in the upper lobe airways in patients with emphysema. The hope is that this investigational therapy will simulate the benefits seen in emphysema patients that receive lung volume reduction surgery.
Bronchoscopy At A Glance

    * Bronchoscopy is a procedure that is performed by lung specialists (pulmonologists or thoracic surgeons) to diagnose or treat a variety of lung-related diseases.
    * There are two types of bronchoscopes - flexible fiber optic and rigid.
    * Bronchoscopy is relatively safe.
    * Bronchoscopy is performed in various settings, including same-day outpatient bronchoscopy suite, operating room, hospital ward, and/or intensive care unit.

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