BRONCHOSCOPY DEPARTMENT

Overview:
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your lungs' airways, called the bronchi and bronchioles. The airways carry air from the trachea or windpipe, to the lungs. During the procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope into your nose or mouth. The tube is passed down your throat into your airways. If you have a breathing tube, the bronchoscope can be passed through the tube to your airways. Some procedures require anaestehsia to be given prior to the procedure. The bronchoscope has a light and small camera that allows the doctor to see the windpipe and airways and take pictures. If you have a lot of bleeding in your lungs or a large object stuck in your throat, the doctor may use a bronchoscope with a rigid tube. The rigid tube, which is passed through the mouth, is wider. This allows your doctor to see inside it more easily, treat bleeding, and remove stuck objects. Doctors use bronchoscopy to treat lung problems. In children, bronchoscopy most often is used to remove an object blocking an airway. Sometimes it's used to find out what's causing a cough that has lasted for at least a few weeks. Newer types of bronchoscopy include: Endobronchial ultrasound. This procedure uses sound waves to create pictures of the insides your airways. Fluorescence bronchoscopy. This procedure uses fluorescent light instead of white light to look inside your airways. Virtual bronchoscopy. This procedure uses a new method of computed tomography scan, or CT scan. Virtual bronchoscopy can create detailed pictures of your airways.

Purpose and scope of Bronchoscopy:

Bronchoscope can help find the cause of a lung problem. For example, during the procedure, your doctor may see: A tumor Signs of infection Excess mucus in the airways The site of bleeding A blockage (such as a piece of food) in your airway The doctor may take samples of mucus or tissue from lungs to test in a laboratory.