What is Bronchoscopy?
Bronchoscopy test allows the doctor to check the airways. The doctor with the help of this instrument called bronchoscope threads down through your nose and throat to each your lungs. The bronchoscope is made of flexible fibre optic material, a light source and a camera or a viewing device at the end of the thread. With the help of the viewing device the doctor documents the finding and further works on the treatment.
This device, can view all the structures in your respiratory tract that includes trachea, larynx and the small airways of the lungs- the bronchi and bronchioles.
Diagnosis of bronchoscopy:
- lung disease
- an infection
- chronic cough
- tumour
Doctors suggest bronchoscopy, if your chest- X-ray or CT scan shows abnormal report like evidence of an infection or a collapsed lung or a tumour.
The bronchoscopy test is also sometimes used as a treatment tool. It allows the doctor to deliver medication to your lungs or remove any objects that is present in the airways like pieces of food.
Preparing for a Bronchoscopy
During bronchoscopy, a local anaesthetic spray is applied to the nose and throat. It will act as a sedative to help you relax during the test. This will make you drowsy. Oxygen is given during the bronchoscopy. General anaesthesia is not needed.
For bronchoscopy test you need to stop eating or drinking anything before 6 or 12 hours. Also, you need to stop taking:
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Warfarin
- other blood thinners
You will need to bring someone along with you to drive you back home after the bronchoscopy.
Advanced Technology for Bronchoscopies
Sometimes advanced forms of imaging are used to conduct a bronchoscopy. Advanced technology provides a detailed and clear picture of your lungs-
- In a virtual bronchoscopy, doctor uses CT scans to see the airways in more detail way.
- In an endobronchial ultrasound, the doctor uses ultrasound probe attached to a bronchoscope to detect the airways.
- In a fluorescence bronchoscopy, the doctor uses fluorescent light attached to the bronchoscope to see what’s happening inside your lungs.