Flexible bronchoscopy

Shah, Pallav L.

doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2007.12.005

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Volume 36, Issue 3 , Pages 151-154, March 2008

Flexible bronchoscopy

Pallav L Shah MD FRCP is Consultant Physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK. He qualified from Guy's Hospital Medical School, London, and trained in general and respiratory medicine at the Royal Brompton Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, London. His main interest is the development of bronchoscopic techniques for the management of lung cancer and airways disease. Competing interests: none declared

Abstract

Bronchoscopy is an essential tool in respiratory medicine, which allows visualization and sampling from the main airways. It has an important role in the evaluation of suspected lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, persistent infection and the assessment of new pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients. It is a very safe technique which can be performed with or without conscious sedation. Recent developments have ranged from the improvement in image quality to integration of ultrasound. This has increased diagnostic sensitivity and facilitated image-guided biopsies of masses beyond the airways. The therapeutic role of bronchoscopy is also expanding from lung cancer to airways disease.

Keywords: bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchoscopy, diffuse lung disease, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), lung cancer, transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), transbronchial lung biopsy