Bronchoscopic

Bronchoscopic refers to procedures or observations performed with a bronchoscope to examine the bronchial tree. Bronchoscopy is used for diagnosis and therapy and can be performed with flexible or rigid instruments, under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.

Flexible bronchoscopy is the standard tool for visualization and sampling, including bronchial washings, brushings, and biopsies. It can be paired with transbronchial needle aspiration, endobronchial ultrasound, or bronchoalveolar lavage. Rigid bronchoscopy remains useful for large airway interventions and removal of foreign bodies, typically under general anesthesia.

Therapeutic applications include foreign-body retrieval, stent placement, debulking of intraluminal tumors, and airway clearance techniques such as laser, electrocautery, cryotherapy, or balloon dilation.

Common indications are persistent cough, hemoptysis, unexplained imaging abnormalities, suspicion of infection or cancer, central airway obstruction, or biopsy of a suspicious lesion.

Risks include bleeding, infection, pneumothorax, hypoxemia, and bronchospasm. Preparation involves assessment, fasting as required, and sedation planning; post-procedure monitoring is standard.

The technique has evolved since the introduction of flexible bronchoscopy, expanding to imaging-guided and therapeutic procedures within pulmonology and thoracic surgery.