What Is It? Bronchoscopy is an examination of the larger airways
(trachea and bronchi) using an instrument called a bronchoscope.
A bronchoscope is a type of endoscope -- a flexible instrument
that sees inside the body using fiberoptic technology (very fine
filaments that can bend and carry light). In bronchoscopy, the
doctor can look directly inside the larger breathing passages
for signs of tumors and can take samples of lung fluids or
tissue if necessary. During bronchoscopy, a flexible
bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose, then slowly
passed down into the trachea and bronchi. To limit discomfort,
the mouth or nose is numbed with a local anesthetic beforehand
and a light sedative may also be injected into the veins. The
bronchoscopy procedure itself usually takes about 30 to 60
minutes, not counting preparation time. A rigid bronchoscope
sometimes is used instead of a flexible fiber-optic instrument.
The rigid instrument doesn't bend, doesn't see as far down into
the lungs as the flexible one