Here’s a behind-the-scope look at a bronchoscopy — a procedure conducted to diagnose any possible lung conditions you may have.
What is a Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a visual examination of the air passages leading to the lungs. It is a procedure often performed under local anaesthesia and used to evaluate symptoms such as coughing of blood, wheezing or abnormal breathing. The procedure is also sometimes done to determine the cause of an abnormal chest X-ray.
How a Bronchoscopy Procedure Works
During the procedure, a bronchoscope, a flexible scope, is inserted through your nose and down your throat until it reaches the airways in your lungs. Brushes or needles may be attached to the tip of the bronchoscope to collect tissue samples from your airways. These samples will help your doctor to diagnose your lung conditions.
To ensure that you are relaxed during the bronchoscopy procedure, the doctor will likely apply an anaesthetic agent into your nose and the back of your throat. A light intravenous sedative may also be given to help you relax.
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