When Is Bronchoscopy Recommended?

Bronchoscopy may be indicated for patients with:

• Persistent cough of unknown origin
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Chronic or recurrent respiratory infections
• Suspected lung or bronchial tumors
• Airway narrowing (bronchial stenosis)
• Suspicious findings on chest X-ray or CT scan
• Suspected foreign body aspiration
• Persistent shortness of breath
• Evaluation of chronic inflammatory lung diseases

Early bronchoscopy often allows serious respiratory conditions to be diagnosed before they progress.

Contraindications

Although bronchoscopy is generally considered safe, the procedure may not be appropriate in certain situations.

Possible contraindications include:

• Acute myocardial infarction
• Severe cardiac arrhythmias
• Uncontrolled respiratory failure
• Severe blood clotting disorders
• Acute asthma exacerbation
• Severe uncontrolled hypertension
• Serious general medical conditions that significantly increase procedural risk

The final decision is made by the physician after a comprehensive medical evaluation.

Preparing for Bronchoscopy

Proper preparation helps ensure both safety and optimal diagnostic accuracy.

Patients are usually advised to:

• Avoid eating for 6–8 hours before the procedure
• Inform the physician about all medications being taken
• Report any allergies
• Inform the medical team about chronic illnesses
• Follow all pre-procedure instructions provided by the physician

Additional laboratory tests or imaging studies may be requested when clinically indicated.

How Bronchoscopy Is Performed

Bronchoscopy is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under intravenous sedation, depending on the patient's condition and the planned intervention.

The procedure generally includes:

1. Pre-procedure preparation.
2. Administration of local anesthetic or sedation.
3. Gentle insertion of the bronchoscope through the nose or mouth.
4. Careful examination of the trachea and bronchial tree.
5. Biopsy or therapeutic intervention if required.
6. Short observation period after the procedure.

Most bronchoscopic examinations are completed within 20–40 minutes.