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Key Points
- Bronchoscopy is a procedure used to look inside
the lungs' airways.
- During this procedure, your doctor inserts a
bronchoscope (a thin, flexible tube) through your nose or mouth, down your
throat, and into your airways. At the tube's tip are a light and a mini-camera,
so the doctor can see your windpipe and airways.
- This procedure is usually done to find out the
cause of a lung condition, such as a tumor. Sometimes it's done to treat a lung
problem.
- Your doctor may decide to do a bronchoscopy if
you have an abnormal chest x ray or computed tomography (CT) scan.
This is the most common reason for bronchoscopy. Chest x rays and
CT scans can show tumors,
pneumothorax
(collapsed lung), or signs of infection.
- Bronchoscopy also can be done to remove something
stuck in the airway or to place medicine in the lung to treat a lung problem.
It can be used to check for swelling in the upper airways and vocal cords of
people who were burned around the throat area or inhaled smoke from a fire.
- In children, bronchoscopy is used to remove
something blocking the airway. In some cases, it's used to find out what's
causing a cough that has lasted for at least a few weeks.
- Bronchoscopy is done in a special clinic or
hospital. Your doctor will give you medicine to numb your nose and throat and
make you sleepy and relaxed. Then, your doctor will insert the bronchoscope and
look at your lungs. He or she may take a sample of lung fluid or tissue for
further testing, or he or she may insert a stent (small tube) to hold the
airway open as part of the procedure.
- If there's a lot of bleeding in your lungs or a
large object stuck in your throat, your doctor may use a bronchoscope with a
rigid tube. A rigid bronchoscopy is usually done in a hospital operating room
while you're under general anesthesia. Anesthesia is used so you will sleep
through the procedure and not feel any pain.
- The bronchoscopy itself usually takes about 30
minutes. But the entire procedure, including preparation and recovery time,
takes about 4 hours.
- Bronchoscopy can show a tumor, signs of an
infection, excess mucus in the airways, the site of bleeding, or something
blocking the airway, like a piece of food.
- Bronchoscopy is usually a safe procedure.
However, there's a small risk for problems. These problems may include a drop
in your oxygen level during the procedure, minor bleeding, or developing a
fever or pneumonia.
- A more serious risk is a pneumothorax, or
collapsed lung. In this condition, air collects in the space around the lungs,
which causes them to collapse. The condition is easily treated.
- For a few days after the procedure, you may be
hoarse and have a sore throat. Call your doctor right away if you have chest
pain, trouble breathing, or cough up more than a few tablespoons of blood.
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What Are the Risks
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