Bronchoscopy
This webpage will give you information about a bronchoscopy. If
you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant
health professional.
What is a bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a procedure to look for any problems inside
the airways (bronchi) using a flexible telescope.
Figure 1 - Bronchoscopy
Are there any alternatives to a bronchoscopy?
An x-ray, scan or biopsy (removing small pieces of tissue) may
give information about the cause of the problem.
What does the procedure involve?
Your doctor may offer you a sedative to help you relax. A
bronchoscopy is usually performed in less than fifteen minutes.
Your doctor will pass a flexible telescope (bronchoscope) through
your nose and down into your lungs.
Your doctor will use the bronchoscope to examine your airways.
To help make the diagnosis, your doctor can perform biopsies and
they may place a small amount of fluid in your lungs and then
remove it.
What complications can happen?
- Breathlessness
- Bleeding
- Developing a high temperature
- Developing a sore throat, husky voice or worsening of a
cough
- Allergic reaction
How soon will I recover?
If you were given sedation, you will normally recover in about
two hours. A member of the healthcare team will tell you what was
found during the bronchoscopy and will discuss with you any
treatment or follow-up you need. You should be able to go back to
work the day after the bronchoscopy.
Summary
A bronchoscopy is usually a safe and effective way of finding
out if you have a problem in your airways.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr David Baldwin MD FRCP
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
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