Bronchoscopy is an examination of the larynx and tracheobronchial tree using endoscopic procedures. This procedure involves passing a “Scope” into the large airways of the lungs through the mouth or nose in order to evaluate suspicious areas seen on a chest X–ray.Through the bronchoscope, doctors can remove tissue samples for microscopic study, and/or search for the source of cancer cells that are detected in sputum or elsewhere in the body. The test can also reveal how widespread lung cancer is and, therefore, suggest how to proceed with treatment.Bronchoscopy is performed in the hospital with the patient under general anesthesia; it generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Afterward, there may be some numbness in the throat for about two hours and some hoarseness or voice loss for the next few days. Any bleeding, chest pain or breathing problems should be reported to the doctor.
Procedure
- This test may require an overnight stay in the hospital.
- A list of essentials is usually available from a doctor or clinic.
- Fasting is required for 6 to 12 hours before the test.
- You must sign an informed consent form.
- The pulmonologist (a pulmonary lung) specialist trained to perform a bronchoscopy) will spray a topical or local anesthetic in your mouth and throat.
- Then a cannula (a metal or stiff plastic tube about 6–inches long and curved on one end) is inserted, curved end first, to hold your tongue out of the way.
- An anesthetic is injected through the cannula, enabling it to run down the back of your throat, through the larynx, trachea, bronchial tubes, and into your lungs.
- This will cause coughing at first, which will cease as the anesthetic is increased. When the area feels “Thick,” it is sufficiently numb.
- An anesthetic jelly will be inserted into one nostril.
- When it is numb, the scope will be inserted until it passes through the throat into the bronchus.
- Usually, a flexible bronchoscope is used.
- The flexible tube is less than 1/2–inch wide and about 2–feet long. The outside end is connected to several bottles on a nearby table and has an eyepiece.
- Some of the bottles are connected to a small motor that suctions out and collects the fluids of the bronchi. Other fluids can be introduced to flush the area and collect cells that may be analyzed by a pathologist.
- Atelectasis.
- Pneumonia.
- Tuberculosis (infectious).
- Metastatic cancer to the lung.
- Lung abscess.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Sore throat.
- Muscle pain.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Depressed heart rate.
- Change in blood pressure.