Bronchoscopy

Once the anesthetic takes effect, there may be sensations of pressure or mild tugging as the tube moves through the wind pipe (trachea). Although many patientsfeel like they might suffocate when the tube is in the throat, there is NO risk of suffocation. If you cough during the test, more anesthetic will be added.

When the anesthetic wears off,your throat may be scratchy for several days. After the test, the cough reflex will return in 1 to 2 hours. You will not be allowed to eat or drink until your cough reflex returns.

Bronchoscopyis recommended iflung disease is suspected andan inspection of the airways or a tissue sample is needed to confirm it. The testcan be used to evaluate almost any disease in pulmonary medicine, including:

• Acute pulmonary eosinophilia (Loeffler's syndrome)
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Atelectasis
• Bronchial adenoma
• CMV pneumonia
• Chronic pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
• Cryptococcosis
• Disseminated tuberculosis (infectious)
• Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis
• Metastatic cancer to the lung
• Pneumonia in immunocompromised host
• Pneumonia with lung abscess
• Pulmonary actinomycosis
• Pulmonary aspergilloma (mycetoma)
• Pulmonary aspergillosis (invasive type)
• Pulmonary histiocytosis X (eosinophilic granuloma)
• Pulmonary nocardiosis
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• SVC obstruction

Bronchoscopy is also recommended if you have been coughing up blood.

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000: 639-641.

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St Louis, Mo; Mosby; 2005:2474.

Page: 1 | 2   previous | next

Email this page  Printer friendly  Bookmark this page