Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy, Flexible, Bronchoscopy, Rigid

Why It Is Done

Bronchoscopy may be used to:

• Identify the cause of airway problems, such as bleeding, difficulty breathing, or a long-term (chronic) cough.
• Take tissue samples when other tests, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, show problems with the lung.
• Diagnose lung diseases by collecting tissue or mucus (sputum) samples for examination.
• Diagnose and determine the extent of lung cancer.
• Remove objects blocking the airway.
• Evaluate and treat growths in the airway.
• Control bleeding.
• Treat cancer of the airway using radioactive materials (brachytherapy).

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 6, 2007
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology
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