Your Health - Bronchoscopy, Diagnostic

Bronchoscopy, Diagnostic

Definition

Bronchoscopy is the visual examination of the air passages leading into the lungs. The exam is done with a bronchoscope, a long thin tube with a camara on the tip.

Respiratory Pathway

Reasons for Procedure

Bronchoscopy is most often done for the following reasons:

Diagnose a lung disease or infection
Examine obstructions, and secretions
Obtain a tissue sample; this is called a biopsy
Obtain a secretion sample
Investigate the source of a persistent cough or blood that is being coughed up
Check for a foreign object (gum, nut, or other object) that may have accidentally been inhaled rather than swallowed

Possible Complications

Complications are rare but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a bronchoscopy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications which may include:

Bleeding
Collapsed lung
Irregular heart rate
Infection
Sore and swollen throat

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do some or all of the following:

Physical exam
X-rays of lungs
Blood tests
CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure like:

Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin)
Blood thinners like clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin)

Leading up to your procedure:

Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Anesthesia

Local anesthetic will be given to numb the throat. It will also help to prevent coughing and gagging. Sometimes a bronchoscopy is done under general anesthesia. In this case you will be asleep.

Description of the Procedure

The bronchoscope is a long thin tube. It will be inserted through the nose or mouth. The scope will be passed down the throat and into the lungs.

The scope sends an image of the lung tissue to a TV monitor. The doctor may use the images and the scope to remove a small tissue sample. If a foreign body is present, the doctor may be able to remove it through the scope. If a lavage is planned, a water solution may be used to wash an area. The solution is then removed and sent to a lab for examination.

Immediately After Procedure

The removed tissue or secretions will be sent to a lab for examination.

How Long Will It Take?

Less than 1 hour

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may feel a tugging sensation when the doctor removes a tissue sample. Expect some soreness in your throat and hoarseness for a few days after the procedure.

Postoperative Care

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

Spit out saliva. Do not try to swallow it while your throat muscles are numb.
Do not eat or drink anything while your throat is still numb. It will last for about two hours.
When you are able to eat, start with sips of water. Progress to solid food when ready.
If you had a biopsy, do not cough or clear your throat.
A chest x-ray usually will be taken before you go home.
Do not drive until the sedative has completely worn off and you are fully awake.
If you had to stop medicines before the procedure, ask your doctor when you can start again.
Resume your normal diet, unless told otherwise by your doctor
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

The doctor will usually give you a report after the sedative wears off and you are alert. It may take a couple of days to receive results from a biopsy. It may be up to six weeks for findings from a tuberculosis test. Ask your doctor when to expect your results.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Coughing up more than a teaspoon of blood
Severe nausea or vomiting
Increased or unusual wheezing
Pain that you can't control with the medications you've been given

In case of emergency, call 911.

RESOURCES:

American Lung Association
www.lungusa.org/

American Thoracic Society
http://www.thoracic.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca/home-accueil_e.php/

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/

References:

American College of Chest Physicians website. Available at: http://www.chestnet.org/ . Accessed October 14, 2005.

American Thoracic Society website. Available at: http://www.thoracic.org . Accessed October 14, 2005.

Last reviewed October 2009 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS and Brian P. Randall, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.