Examination of the bronchi, which are the main airways of the lungs, by means of an endoscope known as a bronchoscope. There are 2 types of bronchoscope: rigid and flexible. The rigid type is a hollow viewing tube that is passed into the bronchi via the mouth and requires anaesthesia. The flexible fibre-optic endoscope (a narrower tube formed from light-transmitting fibres) can be inserted through either the mouth or nose. It can reach farther into the lungs and requires only a mild sedative and/or local anaesthesia. Bronchoscopy is performed to inspect the bronchi for abnormalities, such as lung cancer and tuberculosis, to collect samples of mucus, to obtain cells, and for taking biopsy specimens from the airways or samples of lung tissue. Bronchoscopy is used in treatments such as removing inhaled foreign bodies, destroying abnormal growths, and sealing off damaged blood vessels. The last 2 are carried out by laser treatment, diathermy, or cryosurgery by means of bronchoscope attachments.
Bronchoscopy |
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