Bronchoscopy

What is a bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is a procedure used to view the inside of the airways. It uses a thin, tube-like scope to diagnose airway abnormalities such as:

• Tumours
• Inflammation
• Other respiratory and lung conditions

Why do you need a bronchoscopy?

Your doctor may recommend a bronchoscopy for the following reasons:

Diagnose airway and lung abnormalities

If you have a chronic cough or you are coughing up blood, your doctor can perform a bronchoscopy to view the inside of your airways and evaluate your lung symptoms.

Your doctor may also use bronchoscopy to investigate:

• Suspected lung infections (e.g. tuberculosis)
• Lung scarring
• Lung cancer

Collect tissue samples from inside the lungs

When lung abnormalities are suspected, your doctor may use bronchoscopy to collect tissue samples from inside the lungs.

This collection may be done through a:

• Biopsy
• Bronchoalveolar lavage

Provide therapy

Bronchoscopy also has therapeutic purposes. For example, it can be used to:

• Remove obstructions in your airways, such as fluid, mucus or foreign objects
• Insert a stent (hollow wire mesh tube) to widen narrowed airways
• Assist laser tumour removal

What are the risks and complications of a bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is generally considered safe and effective. This is especially the case with flexible bronchoscopy, which is the most common type of procedure.

Like all surgical procedures, however, there are some general risks, such as:

• Fever
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Bronchial perforation (A puncture in the airway)
• Irritation of the airways or vocal cords
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)

How do you prepare for a bronchoscopy?

Before performing a bronchoscopy, your specialist will:

• Discuss the procedure, risks involved and expected findings
• Ask you to sign a consent form

If you are on any blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin), you may be asked to discontinue these for a period of time before the test.

In addition, you will be asked to fast (no eating or drinking) for 4 – 6 hours before your bronchoscopy.

What can you expect during a bronchoscopy?

During the procedure, a bronchoscope is used. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like scope that can be rigid or flexible.

The scope is inserted into the airways through the nose or mouth.

The procedure does not require general anaesthesia and is usually done using conscious sedation so that you are sleepy and relaxed.

Care and recovery after a bronchoscopy

After your bronchoscopy, you will be monitored for 2 – 4 hours in the recovery area. During this period, your throat may be irritated and you may continue to feel groggy because of the sedatives administered to you. After 2 – 3 hours, you should be able to eat and drink.

As the effects of the medications can last for several hours, it is important that you are accompanied by someone who can take you home.

You may cough up small amounts of stale blood for a day or two.