Why Do a Bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy offers several procedures to treat and diagnose pulmonary disorders. Goals of the procedures include: • To visually examine airways for tumors, obstructions, secretions or foreign bodies. • To diagnose disease processes such as interstitial pulmonary diseases. • To therapeutically remove foreign bodies, mucous plugs or excessive secretions. • To locate the site and cause of hemoptysis. • To treat malignant airway obstruction.6 Types of Bronchoscope Procedures Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL): The technique is not standardized. For focal infiltrates on the chest X-ray, the segmental bronchus chosen for BAL should be in the area of new or progressive radiologic abnormalities. A BAL is commonly done in patients with diffuse infiltrates, cavitary lesions or suspected chemical injury. A lavage done in the right middle lobe or lingula can yield up to 20 times more fluid when compared to the lower lobes. The tip of the fiberoptic bronchoscope is wedged into a bronchial segment. Five
