Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy

Table of Contents

This test may require an overnight stay in the hospital. You must sign an informed consent form.

You should not eat for 6 - 12 hours before the test. You may be told to avoid the following medications before the procedure:

  • Aspirin
  • Blood thinniners such as warfarin
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen

Always check with your health care provider before changing or stopping any medications.

Arrange for transportation to and from the hospital. Many people want to rest the following day, so make arrangements for work, child care, or other obligations.


How the test will feel

Local numbing medicine (anesthesia) is used to relax your throat muscles. You may feel fluid running down the back of your throat, and the need to cough or gag until the anesthetic takes effect.

Even with the anesthesia, you may feel pressure or mild tugging as the tube moves through the trachea. Many patients experience a feeling of suffocation when the tube is in the throat, but there is no risk of suffocation. Try to remain calm. If you cough during the test, more anesthetic will be added.

An x-ray is often taken after the bronchoscope is removed. When the anesthetic wears off, your throat may be scratchy for several days. After the test, your cough reflex will return in 1 - 2 hours. Once that happens, you can eat and drink normally.

It is common after a transbronchial biopsy to cough up small amounts of bloody phlegm (sputum) for a day. The health care provider will tell you who to contact if you cough up large amounts of blood.


Why the test is performed

A transbronchial biopsy is most often performed for:

  • Diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease
  • Rejection of a transplanted lung
  • Tumors

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Review Date: 09/13/2008
Reviewed By: Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)