Bronchoscopy is a procedure to look into your air passages and lungs using a flexible bronchoscope inserted through your mouth.  Your doctor is able to remove foreign bodies or other blockages in your airway as well as taking samples of mucus or lung tissue for further testing.  In people with lung cancer, your doctor may use an ultrasound probe (known as Endo-Bronchial Ultrasound or EBUS) to check on lymph nodes or tumours in the chest.

Reasons for the bronchoscopy test

• Diagnosis of lung problems or infections like TB
• Biopsy of a suspicious lung lesion
• Removal of mucus, foreign body or any obstruction in the airways
• Placement of a small tube to hold open an airway (stent) in airway narrowing
• Treatment of a lung problem such as bleeding or collapsed lung (known as pneumothorax)

Click TTH video on Bronchoscopy

How to Prepare for Bronchoscopy

• You may need to stop your blood thinning medications before the procedure so please discuss with your doctor when to stop and restart your medication
• Fast 6-8 hours prior to the procedure
• You may take small sips of water up to 2-3 hours before the procedure

After the Bronchoscopy

• Have someone to drive you home
• Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours
• You may experience some mild sore throat or nose bleed during the first 24-48 hours
• You will be informed of the diagnosis and treatment plan by your doctor after all the results are ready

See your doctor asap if your have increasing chest pain, fever or trouble breathing after the bronchoscopy

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