Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

Common reasons to perform a bronchoscopy for diagnosis are:

• Lung growth, lymph node, atelectasis, or other changes seen on an x-ray or other imaging test
• Suspected interstitial lung disease
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Possible foreign object in the airway
• Cough that has lasted more than 3 months without any other explanation
• Infections in the lungs and bronchi that cannot be diagnosed any other way or need a certain type of diagnosis
• Inhaled toxic gas or chemical
• To diagnose a lung rejection after a lung transplant

You may also have a bronchoscopy to treat a lung or airway problem, such as to:

• Remove fluid or mucus plugs from your airways
• Remove a foreign object from your airways
• Widen (dilate) an airway that is blocked or narrowed
• Drain an abscess
• Treat cancer using a number of different techniques
• Wash out an airway (therapeutic lavage)

The main risks from bronchoscopy are:

• Bleeding from biopsy sites
• Infection

There is also a small risk of:

• Arrhythmias
• Breathing difficulties
• Fever
• Heart attack, in people with existing heart disease
• Low blood oxygen
• Pneumothorax
• Sore throat

In the rare instances when general anesthesia is used, there is some risk for:

• Muscle pain
• Change in blood pressure
• Slower heart rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting

There is a small risk for:

• Heart attack

When a biopsy is taken, there is a risk of severe bleeding (hemorrhage). Some bleeding is common. The technician or nurse will monitor the amount of bleeding.
There is a risk of choking if anything (including water) is swallowed before the numbing medicine wears off.

Here is a 7 minute video on diagnostic bronchoscopy.  It shows a tumour being biopsied.  This video is shown to my patients before consent for the procedure is taken.

Warning:  Do not view if you are afraid of blood.