Sputum Culture

Risks

Your throat may feel sore following bronchoscopy or collection of a sputum sample using a nasotracheal catheter.

If you have severe asthma or bronchitis, you may find it difficult to breathe during collection of a sputum sample using a nasotracheal catheter.

In rare cases, a transtracheal aspiration may damage your voice box (larynx) or cause an infection, excessive bleeding, or air to leak from your windpipe (trachea) into the tissues of your neck.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: March 10, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
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