Bronchoscopy Medical Test

Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to see inside a person's airways. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions. The bronchoscope is passed through the nose, down the back of the throat, into the windpipe, and down into the bronchi. The fibre-optics allows light to shine round bends in the bronchoscope and so the doctor can see clearly inside your airways. Although the rigid bronchoscope can scratch or tear airway or damage the vocal cords, the risk for bronchoscopy is limited. The conditions for which doctors use it are ongoing, life-threatening cardiac problems or severely low oxygen. A fibre-optic bronchoscope is the device usually used. It is about as thick as a pencil. A rigid bronchoscope is used much less often. It is like a thin, straight telescope. It may be needed for some procedures, and in children. Both types of bronchoscope have a side channel down which a thin 'grabbing' instrument can pass. This can be used to take a small sample from the inside lining of a bronchi, or to remove small objects from the airways.

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