Flexible Bronchoscopy

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is a flexible bronchoscopy? A flexible bronchoscopy (brong-KOS-ko-pe) is a procedure to look inside the different parts of the respiratory system. Caregivers use a bronchoscope, which is a soft, bendable tube with a light and tiny camera on the end. A flexible bronchoscope takes pictures of the inside of the airways that may be seen on a TV-like screen. The respiratory system is made up of the nose, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. When air is breathed in, it goes through the nose and mouth. The air then goes to the larynx and then through the trachea. From the trachea, air passes through the bronchial tubes and into the lungs. The air is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the air sacs of the lungs.

Why may a flexible bronchoscopy be needed?

• With a flexible bronchoscopy, diseases and other problems that affect the airways and lungs may be diagnosed. These conditions may include causes of cough, troubled breathing, or blood in the sputum (spit). Your caregiver may also check for cancer, inflammation (swelling), polyps (growths), infections, or narrowing of the airways. A biopsy may be done where a small amount of tissue is taken and sent to a lab for tests. He may also do a washing or lavage during this procedure. A small amount of saline (salt water) is used to wash parts of the airways and lungs. The cells that are rinsed off are then collected and tested in the lab.
  
  
• Your caregiver may also treat different conditions by doing a bronchoscopy. He may remove foreign objects or tumors that may be blocking your airways. He may also insert special tools, such as lasers, probes, suctions, or needles, through the scope. These will be used to heat or freeze tissues, or suck out mucus plugs or blood clots. He may also stop any bleeding or place a stent (tube) or balloon to widen the airways.

Who may not have a flexible bronchoscopy? You will need to tell your caregiver if you are pregnant, have bleeding problems, or are taking any medicines. Having a flexible bronchoscopy may be delayed if you had a recent heart attack. It should not be done if there is a higher risk of bad effects. Your caregiver may consider not doing a flexible bronchoscopy if you have uncontrolled or unstable heart diseases.

How is a flexible bronchoscopy done? Your caregiver may give you medicine that may numb your throat or put you to sleep. Your heartbeat and blood pressure are checked the whole time during the procedure. Your caregiver passes the scope through your mouth or nose and into your airways as he examines each part that he passes. He may videotape or take pictures of the inside of your airways. He may also take samples or remove tissues that may be causing your condition. When the procedure is finished, the scope is gently pulled out.

What are the possible risks and side effects of a flexible bronchoscopy? Although not common, there are still risks and possible side effects of having a flexible bronchoscopy. These may include any of the following:

• Bleeding.
  
  
• Pain and irritation.
  
  
• Perforation (holes or tears).
  
  
• Pneumothorax (air in the space between the lungs and chest).

Where can I find more information? Contact the following for more information:

• American Thoracic Society
  61 Broadway
  New York, NY 10006-2755
  Phone: 1-212-315-8600
  Web Address: www.thoracic.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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