Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy shows what’s happening in your airways

Bronchoscopy is a procedure to look directly at the airways in the lungs through a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope). The bronchoscope is put in the nose or mouth, moved down the throat and trachea (windpipe), and into the airways. A health care provider can then see the voice box (larynx), trachea, large airways to the lungs (bronchi), and smaller branches of the bronchi (bronchioles).

Contact Us

1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654)
Find a location near me
Find a provider

Types of bronchoscope

There are two types of bronchoscope: flexible and rigid. Both types come in different widths.

A rigid bronchoscope is a straight tube. It’s only used to view the larger airways. It may be used within the bronchi to:

  • Remove a large amount of secretions or blood
  • Control bleeding
  • Remove foreign objects
  • Remove diseased tissue (lesions)

A flexible bronchoscope is used more often. Unlike the rigid scope, it can be moved down into the smaller airways (bronchioles). The flexible bronchoscope may be used to:

  • Give oxygen
  • Suction out secretions
  • Take tissue samples (biopsy)
  • Put medicine into the lungs
  • Give laser therapy

Reasons you might need bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy may be done to diagnose and treat lung problems such as:

  • Tumors or bronchial cancer
  • Airway blockage (obstruction)
  • Narrowed areas in airways (strictures)
  • Inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, and fungal or parasitic lung infections
  • Interstitial pulmonary disease
  • Causes of a persistent cough
  • Causes of coughing up blood
  • Spots seen on chest X-rays
  • Vocal cord paralysis

Diagnostic procedures or treatments that are done with bronchoscopy include:

  • Biopsy of tissue
  • Collection of sputum
  • Fluid put into the lungs and then removed (bronchoalveolar lavage or BAL) to diagnose lung disorders
  • Removal of secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or growths (polyps) to clear airways
  • Control of bleeding in the bronchi
  • Removing foreign objects or other blockages
  • Laser therapy or radiation treatment for bronchial tumors
  • Placement of a small tube (stent) to keep an airway open tent placement
  • Drainage of an area of pus (abscess)

Your health care provider may also have other reasons to advise a bronchoscopy.

Services

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care

Receive inclusive LGBTQ+ medical care at Main Line Health in a compassionate and welcoming space at locations in the Philadelphia region.

Hospital Medicine

Our hospitalists provide 24-hour coverage for Main Line Health hospitals, all conveniently located in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Lung and Thoracic

Main Line Health experts use the latest technology to diagnose and treat all types of conditions affecting the chest, lungs and esophagus.

General Surgery

General surgeons are doctors who are board certified as specialists in many different types of surgery. At Main Line Health, our general surgeons are an important part of your care team.

Stroke and Neurointervention

Main Line Health is one of few community health systems offering state-of-the-art neurointervention care. Through our collaboration with the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, our Neurointervention Program is an accredited thrombectomy-capable stoke center.

Senior Health (Geriatric Medicine)

Main Line Health experts provide specialized care so adults of all ages can maintain their independence and live life to the fullest.

Anesthesiology

Main Line Health’s anesthesiologists play a critical role in your total care before, during and after surgery.